^•UBRARY/ 

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TUPELO. 


REV.  JOHN  H.  AUGHEY,  A.M., 


AUTHOR  OF  "THE  IRON  FURNACE,"   "THE  GRAMMATICAL  GUIDE.' 

"SPIRITUAL  GEMS  OF  THE  AGES,"  ETC.,  AND  CHAPLAIN 

UNITED  STATES  ARMY. 


LINCOLN,  NEB.: 

STATE  JOURNAL  COMPANY,   PRINTERS. 


Entered  according  to  act  of  Congress  in  the  office  of  the  Librarian  of 

Congress,  A.D.  1858, 
BY  REV.  JOHN  H.  AUGHEY,  A.M. 


TO 

MRS.  MARY  J.  AUGHEY, 
CHAKITOX,  LUCAS  Co.,  IOWA, 

DR.  J.  W.  AXD  MRS.  KATE  A.  FERGUSON, 

COXGRESS,  WAYXE  Co.,  OHIO, 

AXD  IX  MEMORY  OF 

DR.  JOHN  K.  AUGHEY, 

WHO  DIED  AT 

SEATON,  MERCER  Co.,  ILLIXOIS,  MAY  19ra,  1886, 

MISS  GERTRUDE  E.  AUGHEY, 

CHARITOX,  LUCAS  Co.,  IOWA. 

MY  BELOVED  WIFE  AND  CHILDREN, 

This  volume  is  affectionately  inscribed,  by 

THE  AUTHOR. 


CONTENTS. 

'  / 


g  CHAPTER  I. 

CO 

>.  SECESSION. 

QC 

Secession  Speech  by  Col.  Drane  —  Rejoicing  Secessionists  at  the 
Election  of  Lincoln  —  Address  by  Capt.  Eove  Opposing 
Secession  —  His  Line  of  Thought  and  Excellent  Argu- 
ments —  A  Secessionist  Speaks  —  Deals  in  Vituperation, 
Sophistry,  and  Cursing  —  Sermon  —  Words  of  Warning  — 

^  x  Arguments     Against    Secession  —  Its     Results    Predicted 

?»•  —  Charity  Enjoined  ......................................  pp  21  to  45 


CHAPTER  II. 

Vigilance  Committee  and  Court  Martial  —  The  Unique  Sum- 

C>  inons  —  Skull  and  Crossbones  —  Coffin,  Grave,  Gallows,  and 

<•>  Victim—  The  Trial  and  its  Result—  The  Midnight  Attack 

^  by   the  Vigilantes  —  Their  Incontinent  Flight  —  Mr.  John 

Mecklin's  Visit  —  His  Advice  —  Removal  to  Attalla  County, 

LJ  near  Kosciusko  —  Dr.  Smith's  Attempt  at  Assassination  — 

uj  The  South  Arming  for  the  War  —  Dr.  Hughes'  Visit  —  Mur- 

der of  Rev.  James  Pelan  —  Return  to  Tishomingo  County 

—  Events  by  the  Way  —  Battle  in  Good  Springs  Glen  — 

5;  Murder  of  Payson  and  Murchison  by  the  Vigilantes  —  Miss 

Silverthorn's  Letter  —  Summons  to  Attend  Court  Martial  — 

Escape  to  Rienzi  —  Return  to  Paden's  Mills  —  The  Battle 

near  Booneville  —  The  Arrest  by  Hill's  Cavalry  —  Examin- 

ation by  Col.  Bradfute  —  Gen.  Pfeiffer  and  Gen.  Jordan 

Enter  the  Dungeon  at  Tupelo  —  Cruel  Treatment  of  Pris- 

oners —  Murder  of  Poole  and   Harbaugh  —  Songs  of  Incar- 

cerated Slaves  ...........................................  pp.  46  to  116 


452589 


CONTEXTS. 


CHAPTER  III. 

Visited  by  Col.  Mark  Lowery  and  Others— Miss  Daisy  Carson's 
Visit — Witherspoon's  Escape — Pursued  by  Cavalry  with 
Blood-hounds — Witherspoon  and  Denver  Overtaken — Con- 
demned to  Death — Death  of  their  Captors — Mrs.  Wither- 
spoon's Letter — Old  Pilgarlicand  his  son  Oscar — His  Trial 
before  Gen.  P.  G.  T.  Beauregard— Gen.  Braxton  Bragg 
X)rders  Prof.  Yarbrough's  Execution — He  is  Shot — Re- 
stored to  Consciousness  by  his  Friends — His  final  Escape 
— Death  of  the  rebel  Capt.  Pender — Celebration  of  the 
Fourth  of  July  in  Prison — Escape  of  Aughey  and  Malone 
— Separate  in  the  Encampment — Set  out  Alone — Concealed 
in  the  Chaparral — The  Booming  Cannon  and  Passing 
Soldiers — Soldiers'  Conversation  about  the  Escaped  Pris- 
oners Overheard— Crosses  an  Affluent  of  the  Tombigbee 
River— David  Hough's  Cabin — The  Re-arrest— Running 
the  Gauntlet  amid  Rebel  Camps — Again  at  Gen.  Jordan's. 
Head-quarters— Examined  and  Shackled — Returned  to 
Tupelo— Examined  by  the  Rebel  Generals— To  be  Shot  in 
an  Hour — Letter  to  My  Wife — The  Reprieve — Remanded 
to  Prison — Reception  by  the  Prisoners — Floor  Spiked 
Down — Guards  Increased pp.  116  to  160 


CHAPTER  IV. 

Benjamin  Clarke's  Story — Pursuit  by  Cavalry  with  Blood- 
hounds—Capture  of  the  Bear — Death  of  Snediker  and 
Rucker  at  the  Bagnio  in  Fulton — Death  of  Downs — 
Clarke's  Wife  and  Children — Arrive  at  Paden's  Mills— 
The  Search  of  the  House,  Mills,  and  Negro  Quarters — The 
Minorcans — Louis  Las  Cassas  Lornette — Col.  Feuilvert — 
His  Interview  with  his  Nephew  Louis — The  Rescue — 
Cavalry  Battle  at  Paden's  Mills — Interview  with  Col. 
Walter,  the  Jud«e  Advocate — Charges  Preferred — Bailie 
and  Childress  Shot— Second  Visit  of  Col.  H.  W.  Walter— 
•  Cruel  Treatment  by  Col.  Clare — French  Officer's  Visit — 
Personal  Appearance  of  Gen.  Bragg — Champe  and  Brax- 
ton—Murder  of  Chenault,  Vedder,  Bynum,  and  other 
Unionists — Hymns — Foreordination — Debate  on,  by  Maple 
ar.c"  Melvin — Herman  Bledsoe,  The  East  Tennessee  Union- 
ist— The  Greenville  Convention—  The  Loyal  Address — 
Bledsoe's  Arrest— Escape  From  Death  by  Fire— His 
Travels,  Re-arrest,  and  Incarceration  in  Tupelo — Escape  of 


CONTENTS.  7 

Bovord  "Willis — Pursuit  by  Cavalry  With  Hounds — Nar- 
row Escape — Troyer  Anderson's  Remarkable  Dream — 
Letter  to  My  Wife — Obituary — The  Prisoners'  Petition  to 
Abraham  Lincoln  and  William  H.  Seward — Murder  of 
Street  and  Maynard — Address  <to  be  made  from  the  Gal- 
lows— Resolve  to  escape — Plan  Adopted  Proves  Successful 
— Under  the  Prison — Among  the  Guards — In  the  Forest — 
Meet  a  Negro — Perishing  From  Hunger  and  Thirst — Find 
Water — The  Ethiopian  Charley — The  Unionist,  Israel" Nel- 
son— Col.  Barry — Col.  Barry  and  his  Son  Yolney  Torn  to 
Pieces  by  Blood-hounds — Traveling  in  a  Circle,  pp.  1GO  to  24& 


CHAPTER  V. 

Pursued  by  Bloodhounds — Death  Imminent — Ascent  of  the 
OaK — Death  Imminent — The  Hounds  Baffled — Jingo  Dick 
— Under  the  Juniper.  The  Singing  Birds — Homeward  I 
Plod  My  Weary  Way — Perishing  From  Hunger  and 
Thirst— The  Presentiment— Find  Water,  Bright  Spark- 
ling Water — The  Bear  Hunt — Climb  a  Tree — The  Con- 
scripts— Rebel  Encampments — In  at  the  Death — Blood- 
hounds— Meet  the  Videttes — The  Fierce  Dog — Find 
Friends — Mr.  and  Mrs.  Chism — The  Storm — Mr.  Sanford 
— The  Night  in  the  Barn — The  Midnight  Ride — Reach 
Mr.  John  Downing's — Meet  Many  Unionists — Death  of 
Newsorn — Daughter  of  Gan.  Nathaniel  Green — Meet  Rebels 
— Thrilling  Adventure  and  Escape — Halted  by  Guerrillas 
— Fired  at  and  Guide  Wounded — Reach  the  Union  Lines 
at  Rienzi — Kind  Reception — Serenade — Speech — Hosts  of 
Friends — Cols.  Bryner  and  Thrush — Meet  Malone — Wife 
and  Child— Gen.  Jefferson  C.  Davis — His  Kindness— Gort- 
ney' s  Tragic  Death pp.  249  to  289 


CHAPTER  VI. 

Melvin  Estill's  Letter — The  Escape  from  Saltillo — Pursuit  by 
Cavalry  with  Blood-hounds — Jasper  Cain,  Laverty  Grier, 
and  John  Graham — Overtaken — Tragic  Fate  of  Four 
Unionists — Their  Scalps  Taken — Mrs.  Cameron  and 
Daughter  Alverna — The  Cavern — Fed  by  Slaves — Reach 
the  Union  Lines — Enlistment  in  Federal  Service — Loyal 
Southern  Women — Tampering  with  the  Ballot  Box — 


CONTENTS. 

Wholesale  Frauds — Views  of  Grady  and  Clarke — Extract 
from  President  Cleveland's  Inaugural — Bill  to  Promote 
Election  Frauds — Visit  to  the  Legislature  in  Columbia — 
News  and  Courier  Speaks — Peon  Slavery — Public  School 
System  of  South  Carolina — When  Inaugurated — Synod  of 
Atlantic — Moderator  Moses  Aaron  Hopkins — Bowling 
Green,  Ky. — Interview  with  Col.  Geo.  M.  Edgar — Believes 
in  the  Right  of  Secession — Political  Deliverances  of  the 
Southern  General  Assembly — The  Question,  of  Reunion  of 
Northern  and  Southern  Presbyterian  Churches — A  Con- 
summation to  be  Desired — Objections  to  Reunion — Causes 
of  Delay — The  Prospect  of  Reunion — Ecclesiastical  Deliv- 
erance on  Evolution — The  "Open  Letter" — Miscegena- 
tion— More  Political  Deliverances — Northern  General  As- 
sembly on  Decoration  Day — Purity  of  the  Ballot  Box 
must  be  Preserved  or  the  Nation  will  Perish — Probable 
Solution  of  the  Difficulty pp.  289  to  330 


CHAPTER  VII. 

Bill  Arp  (ColT  Smith)  in  Atlanta  Constitution — His  Arrogant 
and  Presumptuous  Demand — Gen.  Benjamin  H.  Grierson's 
Report  in  Regard  to  the  Southern  Unionists — Pollard,  the 
Southern  Historian,  on  Conscription — James  Blackburn's 
Atrocious  Letter — Persecutions  of  North  Carolina  Union- 
ists— They  Reach  Philadelphia  and  are  Hospitably  Re- 
ceived— Col.  Chandler's  Report  in  Regard  to  Southern 
Prisons — Murder  of  Major  Bradford — Gen.  W.  T.  Sherman 
to  Mayor  of  Atlanta,  Ga. — Capt.  Phillips'  Statement  in 
Regard  to  Unionists  of  North  Alabama— Col.  Fremantle's 
Views — Murder  of  Montgomery,  a  Texan  Unionist — Duff's 
Regiment  Sent  to  Quell  Counter  Revolution  of  Unionists 
in  Texas — Texas  Unionist  Confides  His  Sentiments — Gen. 
Bankhead  Magruder's  Abhorrence  of  the  Puritans — Gen- 
eral Houston— Col.  Chubb,  who  Hired  a  Colored  Crew  at 
Boston,  and  Coolly  Sold  them  as  Slaves  at  Galveston — Cru- 
elty to  the  Captured  Crew  of  the  Harriet  Lane — Miuden, 
La. — Gen.  Jo.  Johnston  Wounded  Ten  Times — Gen.  Van 
Dorn  Shot  by  Dr.  Peters — Burning  of  Unionists  at  Frank- 
lin, Tenn. — The  Confederacy  Calling  upon  the  Negro  for 
Help — Preamble  to  Florida  Ordinance  of  Secession — Ad- 
dress by  Stephen  A.  Douglas — Murder  of  Unionists  in 
Kentucky  Valley,  Ala. — Terrible  and  Swift  Retribution- 
Gideon  Brevoort — His  Faithful  Service — His  Death — His 


CONTEXTS.  9 

Monument — Prof.  Franklin  Brevoort — At  Tensas,  Miss. — 
Isaac  Simpson — Brevoort  and  Simpson  Reach  Cairo,  111. — 
White  League — Murder  of  Judge  Chisholm  and  His  Son 
and  Heroic  Daughter — Rev.  James  Pelan — Southern  Hos- 
pitality— Rev.  Mr.  Bland,  of  Memphis  Presbytery — Four 
Grave  Elders — Comity  among  Physicians — A  Laudable 
Custom  as  Old  as  the  Medical  Profession pp.  330  to  366 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

Is  Deception  ever  Justifiable  ? — Gen.  L.  Q.  C.  Lamar's  State- 
ment— Southern  Heroines — Speech  by  Jefferson  Davis  at 
Holly  Springs,  Miss. — His  Hatred  of  the  North — Southern 
Slaves  and  Northern  Mudsills — No  Homogeneity  between 
Cavaliers  and  Puritans — Pollard's  Estimate  of  Jeff.  Davis 
— Quotation  from  Pollard's  Lost  Cause — He  Degrades  La- 
bor, Denies  its  Dignity,  and  Eulogizes  and  Attempts  to 
Justify  Human  Slavery — Poor  Whites  of  the  South — 
Causes  of  Their  Poverty — Atavism — Heredity — Degrada- 
tion of  Labor  through  Slavery — Lack  of  Educational  and 
Religious  Culture — Their  Unfortunate  Environment — De- 
spised by  the  Slave-holding  Oligarchy pp.  366  to  383 


CHAPTER  IX. 

Rev.  L.  B.  Gaston's  Essay — Educational  Facilities  of  North 
and  South  Compared — The  Educational  System  of  Prussia 
Commended — Prediction  Concerning  Prussia — Free  School 
System  of  the,  North — Urges  the  South  to  Adopt  a  Free 
School  System — Result  of  HLs  Article — Servile  Insurrec- 
tions Dreaded — Judge  Scrogg'*,  of  Holly  Springs,  Miss. — 
One  Slave  Murders  Another — No  Law  to  Punish  the  Hom- 
icide— The  Murderer  Whipped  and  Returned  to  His  Mas- 
fer,  Governor  Mathews,  of  Salem — Tippah  County,  Miss. 
— Negro  Testimony  Not  Valid — The  Southern  Barbecue — 
Sermon  on  the  General  Judgment — The  Concourse,  the 
Judge,  the  Witnesses,  the  Testimony,  the  Sentence — Dies 
Irse — American  Slavery  as  it  now  Stands  Revealed  to  the 
World  (from  a  Scottish  Magazine) — The  Death  of  Slavery 
(by  William  Cullen  Bryant) — Sermon  Preceding  Memorial 
Day  (by  Rev.  J.  H.  Aughey,  Pastor  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church,  Farmington,  Fulton  County,  Illinois) — Purity  of 


10 


CONTENTS. 


the  Ballot  (Rev.  T.  C.  Evans)— Memorial  Day  Poem- 
Poems:  How  Sleep  the  Brave? — Decoration  Day— The 
Blue  and  the  Gray — Answer  to  the  Blue  and  the  Gray — 
The  Nation's  Dead — Sleep,  Comrades,  Sleep — The  Veter- 
an's Request  (by  Bayard  Taylor) — The  Soldier's  Reprieve. 

pp.  383  to  461 


CHAPTER  X. 

The  United  States  in  1984 — The  English  or  American  Lan- 
guage (from  Grammatical  Guide,  by  Rev.  J.  H.  Aughey, 
Pastor  of  the  West  Union  Presbyterian  Church,  Dallas, 
Marshall  County,  West  Virginia,  1876-1881)— The  Com- 
mercial Language  of  the  World — Soon  to  be  the  Universal 
Language — Duty  of  Christian  Ministers  and  People  (by 
Miss  Sarah  Hosier,  of  Boston,  Mass.) — The  Burning  of  Co- 
lumbia, S.  C.,  in  1865 — Lemuel  Lorimer — Memorial  Day 
Address  (by  Rev.  W.  F.  Bartholomew,  of  Chariton,  Iowa) 
— Memorial  Sermon  (by  Rev.  W.  F.  Slocum,  of  Wooster, 
Ohio) — Spiritual  Gems  of  the  Ages  (by  Rev.  John  H. 
Aughey,  Pastor  of  the  Churches  of  Congress,  Chester,  and 
Wayne,  Wayne  County,  Ohio) pp.  462  to  512 


PEEFACE. 


A  celebrated  author  thus  writes:  "Posterity  is 
under  no  obligations  to  a  man  who  is  not  a  parent, 
who  has  never  planted  a  tree,  built  a 'house,  nor 
written  a  book."  Having  fulfilled  all  these  requisites 
to  insure  the  remembrance  of  posterity,  it  remains  to 
be  seen  whether  the  author's  name  shall  escape  oblivion. 

It  may  be  that  a  few  years  will  obliterate  the  name 
affixed  to  this  Preface  -from  the  memory  of  man. 
This  thought  is  the  cause  of  no  concern.  I  shall 
have  accomplished  my  purpose  if  I  can  in  some 
degree  be  humbly  instrumental  in  serving  my  country 
and  my  generation,  by  promoting  the  well-being  of 
my  fellowmen,  and  advancing  the  declarative  glory 
of  Almighty  God. 

This  work  was  written  while  suffering  intensely 
from  maladies  induced  by  the  rigors  of  the  Iron 
Furnace  of  Secession,  whose  seven-fold  heat  is  re- 
served for  the  loyal  citizens  of  the  South.  Let  this 
fact  be  a  palliation  for  whatever  imperfections  the 
reader  may  meet  in  its  perusal. 

There  are  many  loyal  men  in  the  southern  states, 
\vlio  to  avoid  martyrdom,  conceal  their  opinions. 
They  are  to  be  pitied — not  severely  censured.  All 
[11] 


12  PREFACE. 

those  southern  ministers  and  professors  of  religion 
who  were  eminent  for  piety,  opposed  secession  till 
the  states  passed  the  secession  ordinance.  They  then 
advocated  reconstruction  as  long  as  it  comported  with 
their  safety.  They  then,  in  the  face  of  danger  and 
death,  became  quiescent — not  acquiescent,  by  any 
means — and  they  now  "bide  their  time,"  in  prayerful 
trust  that  God  will,  in  His  own  good  time,  subvert 
rebellion,  and  overthrow  anarchy,  by  a  restoration  of 
the  supremacy  of  constitutional  law.  By  these,  and 
their  name  is  legion,  my  book  will  be  warmly  ap- 
proved. My  fellow-prisoners  in  the  dungeon  at 
Tupelo,  who  may  have  survived  its  horrors,  and  my 
fellow-sufferers  in  the  Union  cause  throughout  the 
South,  will  read  in  my  narrative  a  transcript  of  their 
own  sufferings.  The  loyal  citizens  of  the  whole 
country  will  be  interested  in  learning  the  views  of 
one  who  has  been  conversant  with  the  rise  and  pro- 
gress of  secession,  from  its  incipiency  to  its  culmina- 
tion in  rebellion  and  treason.  It  will  also  doubtless 
•  be  of  general  interest  to  learn  something  of  the  work- 
ings of  the  "peculiar  institution,"  and  the  various 
phases  which  it  assumes  in  different  sections  of  the 
slave  states. 

Compelled  to  leave  Dixie  in  haste,  I  had  no  time 
to  collect  materials  for  my  work.  I  was  therefore 
under  the  necessity  of  writing  without  those  aids 
which  would  have  secured  greater  accuracy.  I  have 
done  the  best  that  I  could  under  the  circumstances ; 
and  any  errors  that  may  have  crept  into  my  state- 


PBEFACE.  13 

ments  of  facts,  or  reports  of  addresses,  will  be  cheer- 
fully rectified  as  soon  as*  ascertained. 

That  I  might  not  compromise  the  safety  of  my 
Union  friends  who  rendered  me  assistance,  and  who 
are  still  within  the  rebel  lines,  I  was  compelled  to 
omit  their  names,  and  for  the  same  reason  to  describe 
rather  indefinitely  some  localities,  especially  the  por- 
tions of  Ittawamba,  Chickasaw,  Pontotoc,  Tippah,  and 
Tishomingo  counties,  through  which  I  traveled  while 
escaping  to  the  federal  lines.  This  I  hope  to  be  able 
to  correct  in  future  editions. 

Narratives  require  a  liberal  use  of  the  first  personal 
pronoun,  which  I  would  have  gladly  avoided,  had  it 
been  possible  without  tedious  circumlocution,  as  its 
frequent  repetition  has  the  appearance  of  egotism. 

I  return  sincere  thanks  to  my  fellow-prisoners  who 
imperiled  their  own  lives  to  save  mine,  and  also  to 
those  Mississippi  Unionists  who  so  generously  aided 
a  panting  fugitive  on  his  way  from  chains  and  death 
to  life  and  liberty. 

May  the  Triune  God  bless  our  country,  and  pre- 
serve its  integrity ! 

JOHN  HILL  AUGHEY. 

Female  Seminary ,  Steubenville,  Ohio. 


Above  is  the  preface  to  The  Iron  Furnace.  Since 
writing  The  Iron  Furnace  I  have  learned  many 
things  not  known  by  me  at  the  time  that  volume 
was  written.  I  was  not  in  a  fit  condition  physically 


14  PREFACE. 

or  mentally  at  that  time  to  write  anything  as  it  should 
be  written.  It  was  uncertain  whether  I  should  sur- 
vive the  maladies  induced  by  the  rigors  of  my  im- 
prisonment. Dr.  France,  of  Harlem  Springs,  O., 
whose  patient  I  was,  could  not  give  me  assurance  of 
ultimate  recovery.  This  volume  is  a  fuller  and  more 
complete  narrative  of  my  own  personal  sufferings  as 
a  southern  Unionist,  both  prior  to  and  during  my 
imprisonment  and  marvelous  escapes  from  arrest,  till 
I  reached  the  Federal  lines,  as  well  as  an  account  of 
the  terrible  cruelties  to  which  my  compatriots  in  the 
dungeon  at  Tupelo  wrere  subjected  as  a  punishment  of 
their  patriotism.  Although  imperfect,  The  Iron 
Furnace, of  which  "Tupelo"  is  an  enlarged  and  com- 
pleted sequel,  has  received  many  encomiums  from 
distinguished  men  whose  approval  is  the  source  of 
laudable  pride.  Some  of  them  will  be  hereinafter 
recorded  by  the  author. 

Mountain  Top,  Luzerne  Co.,  Pa.,  May  8,  1888. 


[By  REV.  W.  P.  BREED,  D.D.,  Philadelphia,  Pa.] 
We  commend  The  Iron  Furnace  to  all.  The 
author's  personal  narrative  is  one  of  the  most  thrill- 
ing and  touching/ ever  written.  The  arrest,  the  im- 
prisonment, the  escape,  the  re-arrest,  the  ironing  under 
the  uplifted  sword,  the  re-incarceration,  the  filthy 
dungeon,  the  loathsome  food,  the  second  escape,  the 
pursuit  by  cavalry  and  blood-hounds,  the  famishing 
from  thirst  and  hunger,  and  the  final  exodus  from 


PREFACE.  15 

the  iron  furnace  and  reception  under  the  good  old  flag 
form  such  a  story  that  we  envy  not  the  heart  of  him 
who  can  read  it  without  deep  emotion.  Mr.  Aughey 
resided  eleven  years  in  the  South,  and  his  views  in 
regard  to  the  rise  and  progress  of  the  secession  move- 
ment till  it  culminated  in  treason  and  rebellion  can- 
not fail  to  interest  all. 


[By  HORACE  GREELEY,  Editor  of  the  New   York 

Tribune,} 

Mr.  Aughey  was  arrested  as  a  traitor  to  the  treason 
whereto  he  had  never  actively  nor  passively  adhered 
and  which  he  therefore  could  not  betray.  He  was 
heavily  manacled  and  thrust  into  a  crowded,  filthy 
prison,  whence  his  companions  were  taken  out  day 
by  day  to  be  shot  and  their  bodies  thrown  naked  into 
a  ditch,  as  a  punishment  of  their  patriotism.  Mr. 
Aughey  as  a  more  influential  Unionist  was  reserved 
for  conspicuous  hanging,  but  escaped  before  the  ful- 
fillment of  that  amiable  intention.  Traveling  in  the 
opposite  direction  from  that  in  which  he  would  natur^ 
ally  be  sought,  wearing  on  his  ankles  the  heavy  iron 
fetters  which  he  had  not  been  enabled  to  remove,  hn 
was  obliged  to  evade  the  blood-hounds  which  arc 
usually  kept  for  the  hunting  of  slaves,  but  are  now 
employed  for  the  tracking  of  white  Unionists,  taking 
care  to  leave  none  of  his  garments  in  prison,  as  from 
them  the  scent  might  be  taken,  traveling  by  night, 
and  then  very  painfully  because  of  the  galling  circlet 
of  his  ankles,  living  mainly  on  green  corn  eaten  raw, 


16  PREFACE. 

since  to  raise  a  smoke  would  have  been  to  advertise 
his  presence  to  bitter  and  unrelenting  foes,  he  finally 
evaded  the  rebel  pickets  and  found  refuge  under  the 
protecting  folds  of  the  flag  of  freedom. 


[By  REV.  W,  J.  McCoRD,  Wassaic,  New  York.] 

Much  good  will  come  from  the  circulation  of  Mr. 
Aughey's  book,  and  I  could  wish  that  it  might  be 
read  by  everyone  in  our  whole  land. 

[By  HON.  J.  T.  HEADLEY.] 
I  have  read  Mr.  Aughey's  book,  The  Iron  Furnace, 
with  intense  interest,  and  find  in  it  only  another  proof 
of  how  little  the  loud  mouthed  patriots  of  the  North 
know  what  true  fidelity  to  the  Government  means. 
It  seems  to  me  that  somehow  in  the  providence  of 
God  this  war  in  its  progress  or  termination  must  give 
the  suffering  Unionists  of  the  South  that  lofty  posi- 
tion relatively  which  they  so  richly  deserve. 

[By  HON.  B.  F.  WADE,  Washington,  D.  C.J 
I  have  read  Mr.  Aughey's  book,  entitled,  "  The 
Iron  Furnace."  It  shows  what  it  costs  to  be  a 
Unionist  in  the  South,  and  strongly  illustrates  the 
condition  of  southern  society.  I  hope  it  will  receive, 
as  it  deserves,  a  wide  circulation. 

[By  COL.  BRYNER,  of  the  47th  Illinois  Infantry, 

Peoria,  111.] 

Mr.  Aughey's  book,  "  The  Iron  Furnace,"  proves 
the  truth  of  the  adage,  that  truth  is  stranger  than  fie- 


PREFACE.  17 

tion.  His  escape  was  one  of  the  most  remarkable  on 
record.  Heavily  ironed,  closely  guarded  in  the  midst 
of  the  great  rebel  army  of  more  than  one  hundred 
thousand  men,  the  day  set  apart  for  his  execution  but 
three  days'  distant,  it  required  the  almost  miraculous 
interposition  of  Divine  Providence  to  give  success  to 
his  plans  for  escape,  to  guide  him  through  a  hostile 
country  swarming  with  foes  eager  in  their  search, 
stimulated  by  the  incentive  of  a  large  reward  and 
aided  by  the  keen-scented  blood-hound,  till  he  had 
passed  over  a  space  of  more  than  two  hundred  miles 
by  the  route  he  was  compelled  to  travel,  which  inter- 
vened between  his  prison  in  Tupelo  and  the  Union 
outpost  of  Rienzi.  We  have  seen  the  manacles  he 
wore ;  we  have  looked  upon  the  scars  caused  by  the 
galling  circlet  of  his  ankles,  the  heavy  iron  fetters. 
We  have  read  his  thrilling  record  on  the  site  of  its 
occurrence — in  the  very  building  in  which  for  years 
the  author  presided  over  the  destinies  of  the  Rienzi 
Female  College.  If  you  wish  to  read  a  true  novel,  a 
thrilling  romance,  a  volume  which  will  arouse  and 
keep  in  trembling  suspense  all  the  faculties  of  your 
soul,  send  at  once  for  "  The  Iron  Furnace." 


[By  REV.  ALFRED  NEVIN,  D.D.  Philadelphia,  Pa.] 
''The  Iron  Furnace"  not  a  misnomer.  Many  have 
inquired  in  regard  to  "  The  Iron  Furnace,"  whence 
the  name?  Would  not  the  Fiery  Furnace  have  been 
more  appropriate  ?  In  reply  wo  would  refer  all  inquir- 
ers to  Deut.  iv.  20;  Jer.  xi.  3-4;  1st  Kings  viii.  51; 


18  PREFACE. 

from  which  it  will  be  observed  that  "  The  Iron  Fur- 
nace" is  a  most  appropriate  and  significant  title  for  the 
interesting  work  which  bears  it.  More  than  three 
thousand  copies  of  "  The  Iron  Furnace"  were  ordered 
in  advance  of  its  publication,  and  many  additional 
thousands  have  since  been  sold.  It  will  always  be 
important  as  a  history  of  the  times  by  one  whose  op- 
portunity for  observation  was  excellent.  He  gives 
an  inside  view.  It  is  embellished  with  a  beautiful 
steel  portrait  of  the  author  and  engravings. 


[REV.  T.  L.'CUYLER,  D.  D.,  Brooklyn,  L.  I.] 
A  much  needed  work. 

[By  REV.  W.  M.  ENGLES,  D.D.,  Philadelphia.  Pa.] 
It  tells  a  true  and  startling  story  of  southern  slav- 
ery and  secession  by  a  ministerial  brother  who  is 
highly  esteemed  by  those  who  know  him,  and  whose 
veracity  may  be  relied  on  with  entire  confidence.  It 
is  a  thrilling  narrative  of  what  the  writer  saw  and 
suffered,  and  contains  a  spirited  and  speaking  likeness 
of  the  author. 

Rev.  John  H.  Aughey,  Commander  of  Post  No.  145, 
Department  of  Illinois,  G.  A.  R.,  Farmington, 
Fulton  County,  III.: 

DEAR  COMRADE — Your  comrades  of  the  above 
named  Post  most  earnestly  request  you  to  publish  a 
new  edition  of  your  war  history,  which  we  have  read 
with  intense  interest. 

ENOS  KELSEY,  8.  V.  Com. 
E.  A.  OUSTER,  Adjutant. 


PREFACE.  19 

[By  GEX.  U.  S.  GRAXT.] 

Mr.  Auyhey — I  have  read  your  book  with  interest. 
I  feel  much  compassion  for  you  and  the  great  num- 
ber of  southern  loyalists  who  have  suffered  such  ter- 
rible things  at  the  hands  of  their  disloyal  fellow  cit- 
izens. I  thank  you  for  the  present  of  your  book. 


[By  GEN.  JOHN.  A.  LOGAX.] 
Mr.  Aughey — I  thank  you  for  your  book,  "The 
Iron  Furnace."  I  have  only  had  time  to  glance 
through  it.  I  know  that  I  shall  be  greatly  interested 
in  reading  it.  The  loyalists  of  the  South  deserve 
much  credit  for  their  adherence  to  the  Union  amid 
surrounding  foes,  an  environment  fraught  with  con- 
tinuous peril.  Truly  your  friend, 

J.  A.  LOGAX. 


I  have  many  other  testimonials,  but  the  above  will 
suffice.   .  Vcrbum  sat  sapienti. 

JOHN  H.  AUGHEY. 
diariton,  Iowa. 


CHAPTER  I. 

SECESSION. 

At  the  breaking  out  of  the  present  rebellion,  I  was 
engaged  in  the  work  of  an  Evangelist  in  the  counties 
of  Choctaw  and  Attala  in  Central  Mississippi.  My 
congregations  were  large,  and  my  duties  onerous. 
Being  constantly  employed  in  ministerial  labors,  I 
had  no  time  to  intermeddle  with  politics,  leaving  all 
such  questions  to  statesmen,  giving  the  complex 
issues  of  the  day  only  sufficient  attention  to  enable 
me  to  vote  intelligently.  Thus  was  I  engaged  when 
the  great  political  campaign  of  1860  commenced — a 
campaign  conducted  with  greater  virulence  and  as- 
perity than  any  I  have  ever  witnessed.  During  my 
casual  detention  at  a  store,  Colonel  Drane  arrived 
according  to  appointment,  to  address  the  people  of 
Choctaw.  He  was  a  member  of  one  of  my  congre- 
gations, and  as  he  had  long  been  a  leading  statesman 
in  Mississippi,  having  for  many  years  presided  over 
the  state  senate,  I  expected  to  hear  a  speech  of  marked 
ability,  unfolding  the  true  issues  before  the  people, 
with  all  the  dignity,  suavity,  and  earnestness  of  a 
gentleman  and  patriot ;  but  I  found  his  whole  speech 
to  be  a  tirade  of  abuse  of  the  North,  commingled 
with  the  bold  avowal  of  treasonable  sentiments.  The 
Colonel  thus  addressed  the  people : 
[21] 


22  TUPELO. 

"  MY  FELLOW-CITIZENS — I  appear  before  you  to 
urge  anew  resistance  against  the  encroachments  and 
aggressions  of  the  Yankees.  If  the  Black  Republi- 
cans carry  their  ticket,  and  Old  Abe  is  elected,  our 
right  to  carry  our  slaves  into  the  territories  will  be 
denied  us;  and  who  dare  say  that  he  would  be  a  base, 
craven  submissionist,  when  our  God-given  and  con- 
stitutional right  to  carry  slavery  into  the  common  do- 
main is  wickedly  taken  from  the  South.  The 
Yankees  cheated  us  out  of  Kansas  by  their  infernal 
Emigrant  Aid  Societies.  They  cheated  us  out  of 
California,  which  our  blood  and  treasure  purchased, 
for  the  South  sent  ten  men  to  one  that  was  sent  by 
the  North  to  the  Mexican  war,  and  thus  we  have  no 
foothold  on  the  Pacific  coast;  and  even  now  we  pay 
five  dollars  for  the  support  of  the  general  Government 
where  the  North  pays  one.  We  help  to  pay  bounties 
to  the  Yankee  fishermen  in  New  England;  indeed  tee 
are  always  paying,  paying,  paying,  and  yet  the  North 
is  always  crying,  give,  give,  give.  The  South  has 
made  the  North  rich,  and  what  thanks  do  we  re- 
ceive? Our  rights  arc  trampled  on,  our  slaves  are 
spirited  by  thousands  over  their  underground  rail- 
road to  Canada,  our  citizens  are  insulted  while  trav- 
eling in  the  North,  and  their  servants  are  tampered 
with,  and  by  false  representations,  and  often  by  mob 
violence,  forced  from  them.  Douglas,  knowing  the 
power  of  ^migrant  Aid  Societies,  proposes  squatter 
sovereignty,  with  the  positive  certainty  that  the  scum 
of  Europe  and  the  mudsills  of  Yankeedom  can  be 


TUPELO.  '23 

shipped  in,  in  numbers  sufficient  to  control  the  destiny 
of  the  embryo  state.  Since  the  admission  of  Texas 
in  1845,  there-has  not  been  a  single  foot  of  slave  ter- 
ritory secured  to  the  South,  while  the  North  has  added 
to  their  list  the  extensive  states  of  California,  Minne- 
sota, and  Oregon,  and  Kansas  is  as  good  as  theirs; 
while,  if  Lincoln  is  elected,  the  Wilmot  proviso  will 
be  extended  over  all  the  common  territories,  debarring 
the  South  forever  from  her  right  to  share  the  public 
domain. 

"  The  hypocrites  of  the  North  tell  us  that  slavehold- 
ing  is  sinful.  Well,  suppose  it  is.  Upon  us  and 
our  children  let  the  guilt  of  this  sin  rest;  we  are 
willing  to  bear  it,  and  it  is  none  of  their  business. 
We  are  a  more  moral  people  than  they  are.  Who 
originated  Mormonism,  Millerism,  Spirit-rappings, 
Abolitionism,  Free-lovism,  and  all  other  abominable 
isms  which  curse  the  world.  The  reply  is,  the  North. 
Their  puritanical  fanaticism  and  hypocrisy  is  patent 
to  all.  Talk  to  us  of  the  sin  of  slavery,  when  the 
only  difference  between  us  is  that  our  slaves  are  black 
and  theirs  white.  They  treat  their  white  slaves,  the 
Irish  and  Dutch,  in  a  cruel  manner,  giving  them 
during  health  just  enough  to  purchase  coarse  clothing, 
and  when  they  become  sick  they  are  turned  off  to 
starve,  as  they  do  by  hundreds  every  year.  A  female 
servant  in  the  North  must  have  a  testimonial  of  good 
character  before  she  will  be  employed;  those  with 
whom  she  is  laboring  will  not  give  her  this  so  long 
as  they  desire  her  services;  she  therefore  cannot  leave 


24  TUPELO. 

them,  whatever  may  be  her  treatment,  so  that  she  is 
as  much  compelled  to  remain  with  her  employer  as 
the  slave  with  his  master. 

"  Their  servants  hate  them;  our's  love  us.  My  nig- 
gers would  fight  for  me  and  my  family.  They  have 
been  treated  well,  and  they  know  it.  And  I  don't 
treat  my  slaves  any  better  than  my  neighbors.  If 
ever  there  comes  a  war  between  the  North  and  the 
South,  let  us  do  as  Abraham  did — arm  our  trained 
servants  and  go  forth  with  them  to  battle.  They 
hate  the  Yankees  as  intensely  as  we  do,  and  nothing 
could  please  our  slaves  better  than  to  fight  them.  Ah, 
the  perfidious  Yankees.  I  cordially  hate  a  Yankee. 
We  have  all  suffered  much  at  their  hands;  they  will 
not  keep  faith  with  us.  Have  they  complied  with 
the  provisions  of  the  Fugitive  Slave  Law  ?  The 
thousands  and  ten  of  thousands  of  slaves  aided  in 
their  escape  to  Canada,  is  a  sufficient  answer.  "We 
have  lost  millions  and  are  losing  millions  every 
year,  by  the  operation  of  the  underground  railroad. 
How  deep  the  perfidy  of  a  people,  thus  to  violate 
every  article  of  compromise  we  have  made  with 
them!  The  Yankees  are  an  inferior  race,  descended 
from  the  old  Puritan  stock,  who  enacted  the  Blue 
Laws.  They  are  desirous  of  compelling  us  to  sub- 
mit to  laws  more  iniquitous  than  ever  were  the  Blue 
Laws.  I  have  traveled  in  the  North,  and  have  seen 
the  depth  of  their  depravity.  Now,  my  fellow-citi- 
zens, what  shall  we  do  to  resist  Northern  aggression? 
Why  simply  this :  If  Lincoln  or  Douglas  is  elected 


TUPELO.  25 

(as  to  the  Bell -Everett  ticket,  it  stands  no  sort  of 
chance),  let  us  secede.  This  remedy  will  be  effectual. 
I  am  in  favor  of  no  more  compromises.  Let  us  have 
Breckenridge,  or  immediate,  complete,  and  eternal 
separation." 

The  speaker  then  retired  amid  the  cheers  of  his 
audience. 

Soon  after  this  there  came  a  day  of  rejoicing  to 
many  in  Mississippi.  The  booming  of  cannon,  the 
joyous  greeting,  the  soul-stirring  music,  indicated 
that  no  ordinary  intelligence  had  been  received.  The 
lightnings  had  brought  the  tidings  that  Abraham 
Lincoln  was  President-elect  of  the  United  States,  and 
the  South  was  wild  with  excitement.  Those  who 
had  been  long  desirous  of  a  pretext  for  secession  now 
boldly  advocated  their  sentiments,  and  joyfully  hailed 
the  election  of  Mr.  Lincoln  as  affording  that  pretext. 
The  conservative  men  were  filled  with  gloom.  They 
regarded  the  election  of  Mr.  Lincoln  by  the  majority 
of  the  people  of  the  United  States  in  a  constitutional 
way  as  affording  no  cause  for  secession.  Secession 
they  regarded  as  fraught  with  all  the  evils  of  Pan- 
dora's box,  and  that  war,  famine,  pestilence,  and 
moral  and  physical  desolation  would  follow  in  its 
train.  A  call  was  made  by  Governor  Pettus  for  a 
convention  to  assemble  early  in  January,  at  Jackson, 
to  determine  what  course  Mississippi  should  pursue, 
whether  her  policy  should  be  submission  or  secession. 

Candidates,  Union  and  Secession,  were  nominated 
for  the  convention  in  every  county.  The  speeches  of 


26  TUPELO. 

two  whom  I  heard  will  serve  as  a  specimen  of  the 
arguments  used  pro  and  con.  Captain  Love,  of 
Choctaw,  thus  addressed  the  people : 

"  MY  FELLOW  CITIZENS — I  appear  before  you  to 
advocate  the  Union — the  union  of  the  states  under 
whose  favoring  auspices  we  have  long  prospered. 
No  nation  so  great,  so  prosperous,  so  happy,  or  so 
much  respected  by  earth's  thousand  kingdoms  as  the 
Great  Republic,  by  which  name  the  United  States  is 
known  from  the  rivers  to  the  ends  of  the  earth.  Our 
flag,  the  star-spangled  banner,  is  respected  on  every  sea, 
and  affords  protection  to  the  citizens  of  every  state, 
whether  amid  the  pyramids  of  Egypt,  the  jungles  of 
Asia,  or  the  mighty  cities  of  Europe.  Our  Repub- 
lican Constitution,  framed  by  the  wisdom  of  our 
Revolutionary  fathers,  is  as  free  from  imperfection 
as  any  document  drawn  up  by  uninspired  men. 
God  presided  over  the  councils  of  that  convention 
which  framed  our  glorious  Constitution.  They 
asked  wisdom  from  on  high,  and  their  prayers  were 
answered.  Free  speech,  a  free  press,  and  freedom  to 
worship  God  as  our  conscience  dictates,  under  our 
own  vine  and  fig  tree,  none  daring  to  molest  or  make 
us  afraid,  are  some  of  the  blessings  which  our  Con- 
stitution guarantees;  and  these  prerogatives  which 
we  enjoy  are  features  which  bless  and  distinguish  us 
from  the  other  nations  of  the  earth.  Freedom  of 
speech  is  unknown  amongst  them;  among  them  a 
censorship  of  the  press  and  a  national  church  are 
established. 


TUPELO.  27 

"Our  country  by  its  physical  features  seems  fitted 
for  but  one  nation.  What  ceaseless  troubles  would 
be  caused  by  having  the  source  of  our  rivers  in  one 
country  and  the  mouth  in  another.  There  are  no 
natural  boundaries  to  divide  us  into  separate  nations. 
We  are  all  descended  from  the  same  common 
parentage,  we  all  speak  the  same  language,  and  we 
have  really  no  conflicting  interests,  the  statements  of 
our  opponents  to  the  contrary  notwithstanding.  Our 
opponents  advocate  separate  state  secession.  Would 
not  Mississippi  cut  a  sorry  figure  among  the  nations 
of  the  earth?  With  no  harbor,  she  would  be  de- 
pendent on  a  foreign  nation  for  an  outlet.  Custom- 
house duties  would  be  ruinous,  and  the  republic  of 
Mississippi  would  find  herself  compelled  to  return  to 
the  Union.  Mississippi,  you  remember,  repudiated 
a  large  foreign  debt  some  years  ago ;  if  she  became 
an  independent  nation,  her  creditors  would  influence 
their  government  to  demand  payment,  which  could 
not  be  refused  by  the  weak,  defenceless,  navyless, 
armyless,  moneyless,  repudiating  republic  of  Missis- 
sippi. To  pay  this  debt,  with  the  accumulated  inter- 
est, would  ruin  the  new  republic,  and  bankruptcy 
would  stare  us  in  the  face. 

"  It  is  true,  Abraham  Lincoln  is  elected  President 
of  the  United  States.  My  plan  is  to  wait  till  Mr. 
Lincoln  does  something  unconstitutional.  Then  let 
the  South  unanimously  seek  redress  in  a  constitu- 
tional manner.  The  conservatives  of  the  North  will 
join  us.  If  no  redress  is  made,  let  us  present  our 


28  TUPELO. 

ultimatum.  If  this,  too,  is  rejected,  I  for  one  will  not 
advocate  submission ;  and  by  the  co-operation  of  all 
the  slave  states,  we  will,  in  the  event  of  the  perpetra- 
tion of  wrong,  and  a  refusal  to  redress  our  grievances, 
be  much  abler  to  secure  our  rights,  or  to  defend  them 
at  the  cannon's  mouth  and  the  point  of  the  bayonet. 
The  Supreme  Court  favors  the  South.  In  the  Dred 
Scott  case  the  Supreme  Court  decided  that  the  negro 
was  not  a  citizen,  and  that  the  slave  was  a  chattel  as 
we  regard  him.  The  majority  of  Congress  on  joint 
ballot  is  still  with  the  South.  Although  we  have 
something  to  fear  from  the  views  of  the  President- 
elect and  the  Chicago  platform,  let  us  wait  till  some 
overt  act,  trespassing  upon  our  rights,  is  committed 
and  all  redress  denied ;  then,  and  not  till  then,  will 
I  advocate  extreme  measures. 

"  Let  our  opponents  remember  that  secession  and 
civil  war  are  synonymous.  Who  ever  heard  of  a 
government  breaking  to  pieces  without  an  arduous 
struggle  for  its  preservation?  I  admit  the  right  of 
revolution  when  a  people's  rights  cannot  otherwise  be 
maintained,  but  deny  the  right  of  secession.  We  are 
told  that  it  is  a  reserved  right.  The  constitution 
declares  that  all  rights  not  specified  in  it  are  reserved 
to  the  people  of  the  respective  states ;  but  who  ever 
heard  of  the  right  of  total  destruction  of  the  govern- 
ment being  a  reserved  right  in  any  constitution? 
The  fallacy  is  evident  at  a  glance.  Nine  millions  of 
people  can  afford  to  wait  for  some  overt  act.  Let  us 
not.  follow  the  precipitate  course  whicli  the  ultra  politi- 


TUPELO.  29 

cians  indicate.  Let  W.  L.  Yancey  urge  his  treason- 
able policy  of  firing  the  Southern  heart  and  precipita- 
ting a  revolution,  but  let  us  follow  no  such  wicked 
advice.  Let  us  follow  the  things  which  make  for 
peace. 

"  We  are  often  told  that  the  North  will  not  return 
fugitive  slaves.  "Will  secession  rem^ply  this  grievance  ? 
"Will  secession  give  us  any  more  slave  territory  ?  No 
free  government  ever  makes  a  treaty  for  the  rendition 
of  fugitive  slaves — thus  recognizing  the  rights  of  the 
citizens  of  a  foreign  nation  to  a  species  of  property 
which  it  denies  to  its  own  citizens.  Even  little 
Mexico  will  not  do  it.  Mexico  and  Canada  re- 
turn no  fugitives.  In  the  event  of  secession  the 
United  States  would  return  no  fugitives,  and  our  pe- 
culiar institution  would,  along  our  vast  border,  be- 
come very  insecure ;  we  would  hold  our  slaves  by  a 
very  slight  tenure.  Instead  of  extending  the  great 
Southern  institution  it  would  be  contracting  daily. 
Our  slaves  would  be  held  to  service  at  their  own 
option  throughout  the  whole  border,  and  our  gulf 
states  would  soon  become  border  states;  and  the 
great  insecurity  of  this  species  of  property  would 
work,  before  twenty  years,  the  extinction  of  slavery, 
and,  in  consequence,  the  ruin  of  the  South.  Are  we 
prepared  for  such  a  result?  Are  we  prepared  for 
civil  war?  Are  we  prepared  for  all  the  evils  attend- 
ant upon  a  fratricidal  contest — for  bloodshed,  famine, 
and  political  and  moral  desolation?  I  reply,  we  are 
not;  therefore  let  us  look  before  we  leap,  and  avoid- 
ing the  heresy  of  secession — 


30  TUPELO. 

"  '  Rather  bear  the  ills  we  have, 
Than  fly  to  others  that  we  know  not  of.'" 

A  secession  speaker  was  introduced,  and  thus  ad- 
dressed the  people : 

"  LADIES  AND  GENTLEMEN — Fellow  citizens,  I  am 
a  secessionist  out  and  out;  voted  for  Jeff  Davis  for 
Governor  in  185£),  when  the  same  issue  was  before 
the  people;  and  I  have  always  felt  a  grudge  against 
the  free  state  of  Tishomingo  for  giving  H.  S.  Foote, 
the  Union  candidate,  a  majority  so  great  as  to  elect 
him,  and  thus  retain  the  state  in  this  accursed  Union 
ten  years  longer.  Who  would  be  a  craven-hearted, 
cowardly,  villainous  submission ist?  Lincoln,  the 
abominable,  white-livered  abolitionist,  is  President- 
elect of  the  United  States ;  shall  he  be  permitted  to 
take  his  seat  on  Southern  soil  ?  No,  never !  I  will 
volunteer  as  one  of  thirty  thousand  to  butcher  the 
villain  if  ever  he  sets  foot  on  slave  territory.  Seces- 
sion or  submission  !  What  patriot  would  hesitate 
for  a  moment  which  to  choose?  No  true  son  of 
Mississippi  would  brook  the  idea  of  submission  to 
the  rule  of  the  baboon,  Abe  Lincoln — a  fifth-rate  law- 
yer, a  broken-down  hack  of  a  politician,  a  fanatic,  an 
abolitionist.  I,  for  one,  would  prefer  an  hour  of  vir- 
tuous liberty  to  a  whole  eternity  of  bondage  under 
Northern,  Yankee,  wooden-nutmeg  rule.  The  halter 
is  the  only  argument  that  should  be  used  against  the 
submissionists,  and  I  predict  that  it  will  soon,  very 
soon,  be  in  force. 

"  We  have  glorious  news  from  Tallahatchie.  Seven 


TUPELO.  31 

tory-submissiomsts  were  hanged  there  in  one  day,  and 
the  so-called  Union  candidates,  having  the  wholesome 
dread  of  hemp  before  their  eyes,  are  not  canvassing 
the  county ;  therefore  the  heretical  dogma  of  submis- 
sion, under  any  circumstances,  disgraces  not  their 
county.  Compromise !  let  us  have  no  such  word  in 
our  vocabulary.  Compromise  with  the  Yankees, 
after  the  election  of  Lincoln,  is  treason  against  the 
South ;  and  still  its  syren  voice  is  listened  to  by  the 
demagogue  submissionists.  We  should  never  have 
made  any  compromise,  for  in  every  case  we  surrendered 
rights  for  the  sake  of  peace.  Xo  concession  of  the 
scared  Yankees  will  now  prevent  secession.  They 
now  understand  that  the  South  is  in  earnest,  and  in 
their  alarm  they  are  proposing  to  yield  us  much ;  but 
the  die  is  cast,  the  Rubicon  is  crossed,  and  our  deter- 
mination shall  ever  be,  no  union  with  the  flat-headed, 
nigger-stealing,  fanatical  Yankees. 

"  We  are  now  threatened  with  internecine  war.  The 
Yankees  are  an  inferior  race;  they  are  cowardly  in 
the  extreme.  They  are  descended  from  the  Puritan 
stock,  who  never  bore  rule  in  any  nation.  We,  the 
descendants  of  the  Cavaliers,  are  the  Patricians,  they 
the  Plebeians.  The  Cavaliers  have  always  been  the 
rulers,  the  Puritans  the  ruled.  The  dastardly 
Yankees  will  never  fight  us;  but  if  they,  in  their 
presumption  and  audacity,  venture  to  attack  us,  let 
the  war  come — I  repeat  it — let  it  come !  The  confla- 
gration of  their  burning  cities,  the  desolation  of  their 
country,  and  the  slaughter  of  their  inhabitants,  will 


32  TUPELO. 

strike  the  nations  of  the  earth  dumb  with  astonish- 
ment, and  serve  as  a  warning  to  future  ages,  that  the 
slaveholding  Cavaliers  of  the  sunny  South  are  terri- 
ble in  their  vengeance.  I  am  in  favor  of  immediate, 
independent,  and  eternal  separation  from  the  vile 
Union  which  has  so  long  oppressed  us.  After  sepa- 
ration, I  am  in  favor  of  non-intercourse  with  the 
United  States  so  long  as  time  endures.  We  will 
raise  the  tariff,  to  the  point  of  prohibition,  on  all 
Yankee  manufactures,  including  wooden-nutmegs, 
wooden  clocks,  quack  nostrums,  etc.  We*will  drive 
back  to  their  own  inhospitable  clime  every  Yankee 
who  dares  to  pollute  our  shores  with  his  cloven  feet. 
Go  he  must,  and  if  necessary,  with  the  blood-hounds 
on  his  track.  The  scum  of  Europe  and  mudsills  of 
Yankeedom  shall  never  be  permitted  to  advance  a  step 
south  of  36°  30'.  South  of  that  latitude  is  ours — 
westward  to  the  Pacific.  With  my  heart  of  hearts  I 
hate  a  Yankee,  and  I  will  make  my  children  swear 
eternal  hatred  to  the  whole  Yankee  race.  A  mongrel 
breed — Irish,  Dutch,  Puritans,  Jews,  free  niggers, 
etc. — they  scarce  deserve  the  notice  of  the  descendants 
of  the  Huguenots,  the  old  Castilians,  and  the  Cava- 
liers. Cursed  be  the  day  when  the  South  consented 
to  this  iniquitous  league — the  Federal  Union — which 
has  long  dimmed  her  nascent  glory. 

"  In  battle,  one  southron  is  equivalent  to  ten  north- 
ern hirelings ;  but  I  regard  it  a  waste  of  time  to  speak 
of  Yankees — they  deserve  not  our  attention.  It 
matters  not  to  us  what  they  think  of  secession,  and 


TUPELO.  33 

we  would  not  trespass  upon  your  time  and  patience, 
were  it  not  for  the  tame,  tory  submissionists  with 
which  our  country  is  cursed.  A  fearful  retribution 
is  in  waiting  for  the  whole  crew,  if  the  war  which 
they  predict,  should  come.  Were  they  then  to  advo- 
cate the  same  views,  I  would  not  give  a  fourpence  for 
their  lives.  We  would  hang  them  quicker  than  old 
Heath  would  hang  a  tory.  Our  Revolutionary  fathers 
set  us  a  good  example  in  their  dealings  with  the 
tories.  They  sent  them  to  the  shades  infernal  from 
the  branches  of  the  nearest  tree.  The  North  has 
sent  teachers  and  preachers  amongst  us,  who  have 
insidiously  infused  the  leaven  of  Abolitionism  into 
the  minds  of  their  students  and  parishioners ;  and 
this  submissionist  policy  is  a  lower  development  of 
the  doctrine  of  Wendell  Phillips,  Gerritt  Smith, 
Horace  Greeley,  and  others  of  that  ilk.  We  have  a 
genial  clime,  a  soil  of  uncommon  fertility.  We  have 
free  institutions,  freedom  for  the  white  man,  bondage 
for  the  black  man,  as  nature  and  nature's  God  de- 
signed. We  have  fair  women  and  brave  men.  The 
lines  have  truly  fallen  to  us  in  pleasant  places.  We 
have  indeed  a  goodly  heritage.  The  only  evil  we  can 
complain  of  is  our  bondage  to  the  Yankees  through 
the  Federal  Union.  Let  us  burst  these  shackles  from 
our  limbs,  and  we  will  be  free  indeed. 

"  Let  all  who  desire  complete  and  eternal  emancipa- 
tion from  Yankee  thraldom,  come  to  the  polls  on  the 
day  of  December,  prepared  not  to  vote  the  cow- 
ardly submissionist  ticket,  but  to  vote  the  secession 
3 


34  TUPELO. 

ticket;  and  their  children,  and  their  children's  chil- 
dren, will  owe  them  a  debt  of  gratitude  which  they 
can  never  repay.  The  day  of  our  separation  and  vin- 
dication of  states'  rights,  will  be  the  happiest  day  of 
our  lives.  Yankee  domination  will  have  ceased  for- 
ever, and  the  haughty  southron  will  spurn  them  from 
all  association,  both  governmental  and  social.  So 
mote  it  be ! " 

This  address  was  received  with  great  eclat. 

On  the  next  Sabbath  after  this  meeting,  I  preached 
in  the  Poplar  Creek  Presbyterian  church,  in  Choctaw, 
now  Montgomery  county,  from  Romans  xiii.  1  : 
"  Let  every  soul  be  subject  unto  the  higher  powers. 
For  there  is  no  power  but  of  God :  the  powers  that 
be,  are  ordained  of  God." 

Previous  to  the  sermon  a  prayer  was  offered,  of 
which  the  following  is  the  conclusion  : 

"  Almighty  God — we  would  present  our  country, 
the  United  States  of  America,  before  thee.  When  our 
political  horizon  is  overcast  with  clouds  and  darkness, 
when  the  strong-hearted  are  becoming  fearful  for  the 
permanence  of  our  free  institutions,  and  the  prosperity, 
yea,  the  very  existence  of  our  great  Republic,  we  pray 
thee,  O  God,  when  flesh  and  heart  fail,  when  no 
human  arm  is  able  to  save  us  from  the  fearful  vortex 
of  disunion  and  revolution,  that  thou  wouldst  interpose 
and  save  us.  We  confess  our  national  sins,  for  we 
have,  as  a  nation,  sinned  grievously.  We  have  been 
highly  favored,  we  have  been  greatly  prospered,  and 
have  taken  our  place  amongst  the  leading  powers  of 


TUPELO.  35 

the  earth.  A  gospel-enlightened  nation,  our  sins  are 
therefore  more  heinous  in  thy  sight.  They  are  sins 
of  deep  ingratitude  and  presumption.  We  confess 
that  drunkenness  has  abounded  amongst  all  classes  of 
our  citizens.  Rulers  and  ruled  have  been  alike  guilty ; 
and  because  of  its  wide  spreading  prevalence,  and  be- 
cause our  legislators  have  enacted  no  sufficient  laws 
for  its  suppression,  it  is  a  national  sin.  Profanity 
abounds  amongst  us ;  Sabbath-breaking  is  rife;  and 
we  have  elevated  unworthy  men  to  high  positions  of 
honor  and  trust.  We  are  not,  as  a  people,  free  from 
the  crime  of  tyranny  and  oppression.  For  these  great 
and  aggravated  offences,  we  pray  thee  to  give  us  re- 
pentance and  godly  sorrow,  and  then,  O  God,  avert 
the  threatened  and  imminent  judgments  which  impend 
over  our  beloved  country.  Teach  our  senators  wis- 
dom. Grant  them  that  wisdom  which  is  able  to 
make  them  wise  unto  salvation  ;  and  grant  also  that 
wisdom  which  is  profitable  to  direct,  so  that  they  may 
steer  the  ship  of  state  safely  through  the  troubled 
waters  which  seem  ready  to  engulf  it  on  every  side. 
Lord,  hear  us,  and  answer  in  mercy,  for  the  sake  of 
Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.  Amen  and  Amen  ! " 
The  following  is  a  synopsis  of  my  sermon: 
Israel  had  been  greatly  favored  as  a  nation.  No 
weapon  formed  against  them  prospered,  so  long  as 
they  loved  and  served  the  Lord  their  God.  They 
were  blessed  in  their  basket  and  their  store.  They 
were  set  on  high  above  all  the  nations  of  the  earth. 

When  all  Israel  assembled, 


36  TUPELO. 

ostensibly  to  make  Rehoboam  king,  they  were  ripe 
for  rebellion.  Jeroboam  and  other  wicked  men  had  fo- 
mented and  cherished  the  spark  of  treason,  till,  on  this 
occasion,  it  broke  out  into  the  flame  of  open  rebellion. 
The  severity  of  Solomon's  rule  was  the  pretext,  but 
it  was  only  a  pretext,  for  during  his  reign  the  nation 
prospered,  grew  rich  «and  powerful.  Jeroboam 
wished  a  disruption  of  the  kingdom,  that  he  might 
bear  rule ;  and  although  God  permitted  it  as  a  pun- 
ishment of  Israel's  idolatry,  yet  he  frowned  upon 
the  wicked  men  who  were  instrumental  in  bringing 
this  great  evil  upon  his  chosen  people. 

"  The  loyal  division  took  the  name  of  Judah,  though 
composed  of  the  two  tribes,  Judah  and  Benjamin. 
The  revolted  ten  tribes  took  the  name  of  their  lead- 
ing tribe,  Ephraim.  Ephraim  continued  to  wax 
weaker  and  weaker.  Filled  with  envy  against  Judah, 
they  often  warred  against  that  loyal  kingdom,  until 
they  themselves  were  greatly  reduced.  At  last,  after 
various  vicissitudes,  the  ten  tribes  were  carried  away, 
and  scattered  and  lost.  We  often  hear  of  the  lost  ten 
tribes.  What  became  of  them  is  a  mystery.  Their 
secession  ended  in  their  being  blotted  out  of  existence 
or  lost  amidst  the  heathen.  God  alone  knows  what 
did  become  of  them.  They  resisted  the  powers  that 
be — the  ordinance  of  God — and  received  to  themselves 
damnation  and  annihilation. 

"As  God  dealt  with  Israel,  so  will  he  deal  with  us. 
If  we  are  exalted  by  righteousness,  we  will  prosper; 
if  we,  as  the  ten  tribes,  resist  the  ordinance  of  God, 


TUPELO.  37 

we  will  perish.  At  this  time  many  are  advocating  the 
course  of  the  ten  tribes.  Secession  is  a  word  of  frequent 
occurrence.  It  is  openly  advocated  by  many  Nul- 
lification and  rebellion,  secession  and  treason,  are 
convertible  terms,  and  no  good  citizen  will  mention 
them  with  approval.  Secession  is  resisting  the  pow- 
ers that  be,  and  therefore  it  is  a  violation  of  God's 
command.  Where  do  we  obtain  the  right  of  seces- 
sion ?  Clearly  not  from  the  word  of  God,  which  en- 
joins obedience  to  all  that  are  in  authority,  to  whom 
we  must  be  subject,  not  only  for  wrath,  but  also  for 
conscience's  sake. 

"  There  is  no  provision  made  in  the  Constitution  of 
the  United  States  for  secession.  The  wisest  states- 
men, who  made  politics  their  study,  regarded  seces- 
sion as  a  political  heresy,  dangerous  in  its  tendencies, 
and  destructive  of  all  government  in  its  practical  ap- 
plication. Mississippi,  purchased  from  France  with 
United  States  gold,  fostered  by  the  nurturing  care, 
and  made  prosperous  by  the  wise  administration 
of  the  general  government,  proposes  to  secede. 
Her  political  status  would  then  be  anomalous. 
Would  her  territory  revert  to  France?  Does  she 
propose  to  refund  the  purchase  money?  Would  she 
become  a  territory  under  the  jurisdiction  of  the 
United  States  Congress? 

"  Henry  Clay,  the  great  statesman,  Daniel  Webster, 
the  expounder  of  the  constitution,  General  Jackson, 
George  Washington,  and  a  mighty  host,  whose  names 
would  fill  a  volume,  regarded  secession  as  treason. 

452589 


38  TUPELO. 

One  of  our  smallest  states,  which  swarmed  with  tories 
in  the  Revolution,  whose  descendants  still  live,  invented 
the  doctrine  of  nullification,  the  first  treasonable  step, 
which  soon  culminated  in  the  advocacy  of  secession. 
Why  should  we  secede,  and  thus  destroy  the  best, 
the  freest,  and  most  prosperous  government  on  the 
face  of  the  earth,  the  government  which  our  patriot 
fathers  fought  and  bled  to  secure?  What  has  Mis- 
sissippi lost  by  the  Union?  I  have  resided  seven 
years  in  this  state,  and  have  an  extensive  personal 
acquaintance,  and  yet  I  know  not  a  single  individual 
who  has  lost  a  slave  through  northern  influence. 
I  have,  it  is  true,  known  of  some  ten  slaves  who 
have  run  away,  and  have  not  been  found.  They 
may  have  been  aided  in  their  escape  to  Canada  by 
northern  and  southern  citizens,  for  there  are  many 
in  the  South  who  have  given  aid  and  comfort  to  the 
fugitive;  but  the  probability  is  that  they  perished  in 
the  swamps,  or  were  destroyed  by  the  blood-hounds, 
"  The  complaint  is  made  that  the  North  regards 
slavery  as  a  moral,  social,  and  political  evil,  and  that 
many  of  them  denounce,  in  no  measured  terms,  both 
slavery  and  slaveholders.  To  be  thus  denounced  is 
regarded  as  a  great  grievance.  Secession  would  not 
remedy  this  evil.  In  order  to  cure  it  effectually,  we 
must  seize  and  gag  all  who  thus  denounce  our  pecu- 
liar institution.  We  must  also  muzzle  their  press. 
As  this  is  impracticable,  it  would  be  well  to  come  to 
this  conclusion  :  If  we  are  verily  guilty  of  the  evils 
charged  upon  us,  let  us  set  about  rectifying  those 


TUPELO.  39 

evils  ;  if  not,  the  denunciations  of  slanderers  should 
not  affect  us  so  deeply.  If  our  northern  brethren 
are  honest  in  their  convictions  of  the  sin  of  slavery, 
as  no  doubt  many  of  them  are,  let  us  listen  to  their 
arguments  without  the  dire  hostility  so  frequently 
manifested.  They  take  the  position  that  slavery  is 
opposed  to  the  inalienable  rights  of  the  human  race ; 
that  it  originated  in  piracy  and  robbery;  that  mani- 
fold cruelties  and  barbarities  are  inflicted  upon  the 
defenceless  slaves ;  that  they  are  debarred  from  intel- 
lectual culture  by  state  laws,  which  send  to  the  pen- 
itentiary those  who  are  guilty  of  instructing  them ; 
that  they  are  put  upon  the  block  and  sold,  parent  and 
child,  husband  and  wife  being  separated,  so  that  they 
never  again  see  each  other's  face  in  the  flesh ;  that 
the  law  of  chastity  cannot  be  observed,  as  there  are 
no  laws  punishing  rape  on  the  person  of  a  female 
slave;  that  when  they  escape  from  the  threatened 
cat-o'nine-tails,  or  overseer's  whip,  they  are  hunted 
down  by  blood-hounds  and  bloodier  men ;  that  often 
they  are  half  starved  and  half  clad,  and  are  furnished 
with  mere  hovels  to  live  in ;  that  they  are  often  mur- 
dered by  cruel  overseers,  who  \vhip  them  to  death,  or 
overtask  them  until  disease  is  induced  which  results 
in  death;  that  masters  practically  ignore  the  mar- 
riage relation  among  slaves,  inasmuch  as  they  fre- 
quently separate  husband  and  wife,  by  sale  or  re- 
moval; that  they  discourage  the  formation  of  that 
relation,  preferring  that  the  offspring  of  their  female 
slaves  should  be  illegitimate,  from  the  mistaken  notion 


40  VTUPELO. 

that  it  would  be  more  numerous.  They  charge,  also, 
that  slavery  induces  in  the  masters,  pride,  arrogance, 
tyranny,  laziness,  profligacy,  and  every  form  of  vice. 

"  The  South  takes  the  position  that  if  slavery  is  sin- 
ful, the  North  is  not  responsible  for  that  sin ;  that  it 
is  a  state  institution,  and  that  to  interfere  with  slav- 
ery in  the  states  in  any  way,  even  by  censure,  is  a 
violation  of  the  rights  of  the  states.  The  language  of 
our  politicians  is,  upon  us  and  our  children  rest  the 
evil !  We  are  willing  to  take  the  responsibility  and 
to  risk  the  penalty  !  You  will  find  evil  and  misery 
enough  in  the  North  to  excite  your  philanthropy  and 
employ  your  beneficence.  You  have  purchased  our 
cotton;  you  have  used  our  sugar;  you  have  eaten 
our  rice ;  you  have  smoked  and  chewed  our  tobacco 
• — all  of  which  are  the  products  of  slave  labor.  You 
have  grown  rich  by  traffic  in  these  articles ;  you  have 
monopolized  the  carrying  trade  and  borne  our  slave- 
produced  products  to  your  shores.  Your  northern 
ships,  manned  by  northern  men,  brought  from  Africa 
the  greater  part  of  the  slaves  which  came  to  our  con- 
tinent, and  they  are  still  smuggling  them  in.  When, 
finding  slavery  unprofitable,  the  northern  states 
passed  laws  for  gradual  emancipation,  but  few  ob- 
tained their  freedom,  the  majority  of  them  being 
shipped  South  and  sold,  so  that  but  few,  compara- 
tively, were  manumitted.  If  the  slave  trade  and 
slavery  are  great  sins,  the  North  is  particeps  criminis, 
and  has  been  from  the  beginning. 

"These  bitter  accusations  are  hurled  back  and  forth 


TUPELO.  41 

through  the  newspapers,  and  in  Congress  crimination 
and  recrimination  occur  every  day  of  the  session. 
Instead  of  endeavoring  to  calm  the  troubled  waters, 
politicians  are  striving  to  render  them  turbid  and 
boisterous.  Sectional  bitterness  and  animosity  pre- 
vail to  a  fearful  extent,  but  secession  is  not  the  proper 
remedy.  To  cure  one  evil  by  perpetrating  a  greater 
renders  a  double  cure  necessary.  In  order  to  cure  a 
disease,  the  cause  should  be  known,  that  we  may  treat 
it  intelligently  and  apply  a  proper  remedy.  Having 
observed,  during  the  last  eleven  years,  that  sectional 
strife  and  bitterness  were  increasing  with  fearful  ra- 
pidity, I  have  endeavored  to  stem  the  torrent,  so  far 
as  it  was  possible  for  individual  eifort  to  do  so.  I 
deem  it  the  imperative  duty  of  all  patriots,  of  all 
Christians,  to  throw  oil  upon  the  troubled  waters, 
and  thus  save  the  ship  of  state  from  wreck  among 
the  vertiginous  billows. 

"Most  of  our  politicians  are  demagogues.  They 
care  not  for  the  people,  so  that  they  accomplish  their 
own  selfish  and  ambitious  schemes.  Give  them 
power,  give  them  money,  and  they  are  satisfied. 
Deprive  them  ol  these,  and  they  are  ready  to  sacri- 
fice the  best  interests  of  the  nation  to  secure  them. 
They  excite  sectional  animosity  and  party  strife,  and 
are  willing  to  kindle  the  flames  of  civil  war  to  ac- 
complish their  unhallowed  purposes.  They  tell  us 
that  there  is  a  conflict  of  interest  between  the  free  and 
slave  states,  and  endeavor  to  precipitate  a  revolution, 
that  they  may  be  leaders  and  obtain  positions  of  trust 


42  TUPELO. 

and  profit  in  the  new  government  which  they  hope 
to  establish.  The  people  would  be  dupes  indeed  to 
abet  these  wicked  demagogues  in  their  nefarious  de- 
signs. Let  us  not  break  God's  command,  by  resist- 
ing the  ordinance  of  God — the  powers  that  be.  I 
am  not  discussing  the  right  of  revolution,  which  I 
deem  a  sacred  right.  When  human  rights  are  in- 
vaded, when  life  is  endangered,  when  liberty  is  taken 
away,  when  we  are  not  left  free  to  pursue  our  own 
happiness  in  our  own  chosen  way — so  far  as  we  do 
not  trespass  upon  the  rights  of  others — we  have  a 
right,  and  it  becomes  our  imperative  duty  to  resist 
to  the  bitter  end  the  tyranny  which  would  deprive 
us  and  our  children  of  our  inalienable  rights.  Our 
lives  are  secure;  we  have  freedom  to  worship  God. 
Our  liberty  is  sacred ;  we  may  pursue  happiness  to 
our  hearts'  content.  We  do  not  even  charge  upon 
the  general  Government  that  it  has  infringed  these 
rights.  Whose  life  has  been  endangered,  or  who  has 
lost  his  liberty  by  the  action  of  the  Government?  If 
that  man  lives,  in  all  this  fair  domain  of  ours,  he  has 
a  right  to  complain.  But  neither  you  nor  I  have 
ever  heard  of  or  seen  the  individual  who  has  thus 
suffered.  We  have  therefore  clearly  no  right  of 
revolution. 

"  Treason  is  no  light  offence.  God,  who  rules  the 
nations,  and  who  has  established  governments,  will 
punish  severely  those  who  attempt  to  overthrow  them. 
Damnation  is  stated  to  be  the  punishment  which 
those  who  resist  the  powers  that  be,  will  suffer.  Who 


TUPELO.  43 

wishes  to  endure  it  ?  I  hope  none  of  my  charge  will 
incur  this  penalty  by  the  perpetration  of  treason. 
You  yourselves  can  bear  me  witness  that  I  have  not 
heretofore  introduced  political  issues  into  the  pulpit, 
but  at  this  time  I  could  not  acquit  my  conscience 
were  I  not  to  warn  you  against  the  great  sin  some  of 
you,  I  fear,  are  ready  to  commit. 

"  Were  I  to  discuss  the  policy  of  a  high  or  low  tariff, 
or  descant  upon  the  various  merits  attached  to  one  or 
another  form  of  banking,  I  should  be  justly  obnox- 
ious to  censure.  Politics  and  religion,  however,  are 
not  always  separate.  When  the  political  issue  is 
made,  shall  we,  or  shall  we  not,  grant  license  to  sell 
intoxicating  liquors  as  a  beverage?  the  minister's 
duty  is  plain ;  he  must  urge  his  people  to  use  their 
influence  against  granting  any  such  license.  The 
minister  must  enforce  every  moral  and  religious 
obligation,  and  point  out  the  path  of  truth  and  duty, 
even  though  the  principles  he  advocates  are  by  states- 
men introduced  into  the  arena  of  political  strife,  and 
made  issues  by  the  great  parties  of  the  day.  I  see 
the  sword  coming,  and  would  be  derelict  in  duty  not 
to  give  you  faithful  warning.  I  must  reveal  the 
whole  counsel  of  God.  I  have  a  message  from  God 
unto  you,  which  I  must  deliver,  whether  you  will 
hear,  or  whether  you  will  forbear.  If  the  sword 
come,  and  you  perish,  I  shall  then  be  guiltless  of  your 
blood.  As  to  the  great  question  at  issue,  my  honest 
conviction  is  (and  I  think  I  have  the  Spirit  of  God,) 
that  you  should  with  your  whole  heart,  and  soul,  and 


44  TUPELO. 

mind,  and  strength,  oppose  secession.  You  should 
talk  against  it,  you  should  write  against  it,  you  should 
vote  against  it,  and,  if  need  be,  you  should  fight 
against  it. 

"  I  have  now  declared  what  I  believe  to  be  your 
high  duty  in  this  emergency.  Do  not  destroy  the 
government  which  has  so  long  protected  you,  and 
which  has  never  in  a  single  instance  oppressed  you. 
Pull  not  down  the  fair  fabric  which  our  patriot  fathers 
reared  at  vast  expense  of  blood  and  treasure.  Do  not, 
like  the  blind  Samson,  pull  down  the  pillars  of  our 
glorious  edifice,  and  cause  death,  desolation,  and  ruin. 
Perish  the  hand  that  would  thus  destroy  the  source 
of  all  our  political  prosperity  an£  happiness.  Let 
the  parricide  who  attempts  it  receive  the  just  retribu- 
tion which  a  loyal  people  demand,  even  his  execution 
on  a  gallows  high  as  Hainan's.  Let  us  also  set  about 
rectifying  the  causes  which  threaten  the  overthrow  of 
our  government.  As  we  are  proud,  let  us  pray  for 
the  grace  of  humility.  As  a  state,  and  as  individuals, 
we  too  lightly  regard  its  most  solemn  obligations; 
let  us,  therefore,  pray  for  the  grace  of  repentance  and 
godly  sorrow,  and  hereafter  in  this  respect  siu  no 
more.  As  many  transgressions  have  been  committed 
by  us,  let  the  time  past  of  our  lives  suffice  us  to  have 
wrought  the  will  of  the  flesh,  and  now  let  us  break 
off  our  sins  by  righteousness,  and  our  transgressions 
by  turning  unto  the  Lord,  and  he  will  avert  his 
threatened  judgments,  and  save  us  from  dissolution, 
anarchy,  and  desolation. 


TUPELO.  45 

"  If  our  souls  are  filled  with  hatred  against  the  people 
of  any  section  of  our  common  country,  let  us  ask  from 
the  Great  Giver  the  grace  of  charity,  which  suffereth 
long  and  is  kind,  which  envieth  not,  which  vaunteth 
not  itself,  is  not  puffed  up,  does  not  behave  itself  un- 
seemly, seeketh  not  her  own,  is  not  easily  provoked, 
thinketh  no  evil;  rejoiceth  not  in  iniquity,  but  re- 
joiceth  in  the  truth ;  beareth  all  things,  believeth  all 
things,  hopeth  all  things,  endureth  all  things,  and 
which  never  faileth ;  then  shall  we  be  in  a  suitable 
frame  for  an  amicable  adjustment  of  every  difficulty; 
nil  will  soon  be  thrown  upon  the  troubled  waters,  and 
peace,  harmony,  and  prosperity  would  ever  attend 
us;  and  our  children,  and  our  children's  children 
will  rejoice  in  the  possession  of  a  beneficent  and  stable 
government,  securing  to  them  all  the  natural  and 
inalienable  rights  of  man," 


46  TUPELO. 


CHAPTER  II. 

VIGILANCE  COMMITTEE  AND  COURT-MARTIAL. 

Soon  after  this  sermon  was  preached,  the  election 
was  held.  Approaching  the  polls,  I  asked  for  a  Union 
ticket,  and  was  informed  that  none  had  been  printed, 
and  that  it  would  be  advisable  to  vote  the  secession 
ticket.  I  thought  otherwise,  and  going  to  a  desk, 
wrote  out  a  Union  ticket,  and  voted  it  amidst  the 
frowns,  murmurs,  and  threats  of  the  judges  and  by- 
standers, and,  as  the  result  proved,  I  had  the  honor 
of  depositing  the  only  vote  in  favor  of  the  Union 
which  was  polled  in  that  precinct.  I  knew  of  many 
who  were  in  favor  of  the  Union,  who  were  intimi- 
dated by  threats,  and  by  the  odium  attending  it,  from 
voting  at  all.  A  majority  of  the  secession  candidates 
were  elected.  The  convention  assembled,  and  on  the 
9th  of  January,  1861,  Mississippi  had  the  unenviable 
reputation  of  being  the  first  to  follow  her  twin  sister, 
South  Carolina,  into  the  maelstrom  of  secession  and 
treason.  Being  the  only  states  in  which  the  slaves 
were  more  numerous  than  the  whites,  it  became  them 
to  lead  the  van  in  the  slave-holders'  rebellion.  •  Be- 
fore the  4th  of  March,  Florida,  Georgia,  Louisiana, 
and  Texas  had  followed  in  the  wake,  and  were  en- 
gulfed in  the  whirlpool  of  secession. 

It  was  now  dangerous  to  utter  a  word  in  favor  of 


TUPELO.  47 

the  Union.  Many  suspected  of  Union  sentiments 
were  lynched.  An  old  gentleman  in  Winston  county 
was  arrested  for  an  act  committed  twenty  years  be- 
fore, which  was  construed  as  a  proof  of  his  abolition 
proclivities.  The  old  gentleman  had  several  daugh- 
ters, and  his  mother-in-law  had  given  him  a  negro 
girl.  Observing  that  his  daughters  were  becoming 
lazy,  and  were  imposing  all  the  labor  upon  the  slave, 
he  sent  her  back  to  the  donor,  with  a  statement  of 
the  cause  for  returning  her.  This  was  now  the 
ground  of  his  arrest,  but  escaping  from  their  clutches, 
a  precipitate  flight  alone  saved  his  life. 

Self-constituted  vigilance  committees  sprang  up  all 
over  the  country,  and  a  reign  of  terror  began ;  all 
who  had  been  Union  men,  and  who  had  not  given 
in  their  adhesion  to  the  new  order  of  things  by  some 
public  proclamation,  were  supposed  to  be  disaffected. 
The  so-called  Confederate  States,  the  new  power, 
organized  for  the  avowed  purpose  of  extending  and 
perpetuating  African  slavery,  was  now  in  full  blast. 
These  soi-disant  vigilance  committees  professed  to 
carry  out  the  will  of  Jeff.  Davis.  All  who  were  con- 
sidered disaffected  were  regarded  as  being  tinctured 
with  abolitionism.  My  opposition  to  the  disruption 
of  the  Union  being  notorious,  I  was  summoned  to 
appear  before  one  of  these  august  tribunals  to  answer 
the  charge  of  being  an  abolitionist  and  a  Unionist. 
My  wife  was  very  much  alarmed,  knowing  that  were 
I  found  guilty  of  the  charge,  there  was  no  hope  for 
mercy. 


48  TUPELO. 

On  the  evening  before  the  session  of  the  vigilance 
committee,  I  walked  out  in  the  gloaming  for  medita- 
tion and  prayer.  When  a  short  distance  from  my 
residence,  I  encountered  an  old  colored  man  who  be-;- 
longed  to  a  planter  named  Major  F.  M.  Henderson. 
The  old  man,  who  was  kno\vn  as  Uncle  Simon  Peter, 
embraced  every  opportunity  of  hearing  me  preach. 
He  approached  me  with  his  hafr  unde*  his  arm,  and 
in  a  very  deferential  manner.  Said  he,  "  Master,  I  is 
in  great  trouble." 

"What  troubles  you,  Uncle  Peter?" 

"  Master,  I  brings  a  note  to  you,  and  I'se  'feared 
it  bodes  no  good  to  you.  Master  and  Gus  Mecklin 
and  some  more  folks  what  I  didn't  know  fixed  it  up 
las'  night,  and  de  way  dey  talked  dey's  ready  to  'sas- 
sinate  you." 

"  Give  me  the  note,  Uncle  Peter." 

"Here  it  am." 

The  paper  was  unique.  A  skull  and  cross-bones 
illuminated  one  corner,  a  coffin  and  newly-made  grave 
were  rudely  drawn  in  another  corner,  a  gallows  was 
conspicuous,  a  victim  whose  hands  were  bound  be- 
hind his  back  and  a  cap  drawn  over  his  face,  stood 
upon  the  trap  ready  for  execution.  In  bold  letters 
was  written,  "Such  be  the  doom  of  all  traitors." 
Within  was  the  following  citation  : 

"  Parson  John  H.  Aughey,  your  treasonable  pro- 
clivities are  known.  You  have  been  reported  to  us 
as  one  of  the  disaffected  whose  presence  is  a  standing 
menace  to  the  perpetuity  and  prosperity  of  our  newly- 


TUPELO.  49 

organized  government — the  Confederate  States  of 
America.  Your  name  heads  the  proscribed  list.  You 
are  ordered  to  appear  on  to-morrow  afternoon  at  2 
o'clock  before  our  vigilance  committee,  in  AV.  H. 
Simpson's  carriage  shop,  to  answer  to  the  charges  of 
treason  and  abolitionism. 

"BY  ORDER  OF  THE  VIGILAXTES. 

"K.  K.K.&K.G.C." 

Flight  was  now  impossible,  and  I  deemed  it  the 
safest  plan  to  appear  before  the  committee.  I  found 
it  to  consist  of  twelve  persons,  five  of  whom  I  knew, 
viz.,  Rev.  John  Locke,  Armstrong,  Cartledge,  Simp- 
son, and  Wilbanks.  Parson  Locke,  the  chief  speaker, 
or  rather  the  inquisitor-general,  was  a  Methodist 
minister,  though  he  had  fallen  into  disrepute  among 
his  brethren,  and  was  engaged  in  a  tedious  strife  with 
the  church  which  he  left  in  Holmes  county.  The 
parson  was  a  real  Nimrod.  He  boasted  that  in  five 
months  he  had  killed  forty-eight  raccoons,  two  hun- 
dred squirrels,  and  ten  deer ;  he  had  followed  the 
blood-hounds,  and  assisted  in  the  capture  of  twelve 
runaway  negroes.  W.  H.  Simpson  was  a  ruling  elder 
in  my  church.  Wilbanks  was  a  clever  sort  of  old 
gentleman,  who  had  little  to  say  in  the  matter.  Arm- 
strong was  a  monocular  Hardshell-Baptist.  Cart- 
ledge  was  an  illiterate,  conceited  individual.  The 
rest  were  a  motley  crew,  not  one  of  whom,  1  feel  con- 
fident, knew  a  letter  in  the  alphabet.  The  committee 
assembled  in  an  old  carriage  shop.  Parson  Locke 
acted  as  chairman,  and  conducted  the  trial,  as  follows  : 
4 


50  TUPELO. 

"  Paraon  Aughey,  you  have  been  reported  to  us  as 
holding  abolition  sentiments,  and  as  being  disloyal  to 
the  Confederate  States." 

"  Who  reported  me,  and  where  are  your  wit- 
nesses ?  " 

"Any  one  has  a  right  to  report,  and  it  is  optional 
whether  he  confronts  the  accused  or  not.  The  pro- 
ceedings of  vigilance  committees  are  somewhat  in- 
formal." 

"  Proceed,  then,  with  the  trial,  in  your  own  way." 

"  We  propose  to  ask  you  a  few  questions,  and  in 
your  answers  you  may  defend  yourself,  or  admit 
your  guilt.  In  the  first  place,  did  you  ever  say  that 
you  did  not  believe  that  God  ordained  the  institution 
of  slavery?" 

"I  believe  that  God  did  not  ordain  the  institution 
of  slavery." 

"Did  not  God  command  the  Israelites  to  buy 
slaves  from  the  Canaanitish  nations,  and  to  hold  them 
as  their  property  for  ever  ?  " 

"The  Canaanites  had  filled  their  cup  of  iniquity 
to  overflowing,  and  God  commanded  the  Israelites  to 
exterminate  them ;  this,  in  violation  of  God's  com- 
mand, they  failed  to  do.  God  afterwards  permitted 
the  Hebrews  to  reduce  them  to  a  state  of  servitude ; 
but  the  punishment  visited  upon  those  seven  wicked 
nations  by  the  command  of  God,  does  not  justify  war 
or  the  slave  trade." 

"  Did  you  say  that  you  were  opposed  to  the  slavery 
which  existed  in  the  time  of  Christ  ?  " 


TUPELO.  51 

"  I  did,  because  the  system  of  slavery  prevailing 
in  Christ's  day  was  cruel  in  the  extreme ;  it  conferred 
the  power  of  life  and  death  upon  the  master,  and  was 
attended  with  innumerable  evils.  The  slav.fi  had  the 
same  complexion  as  his  master ;  and  by  changing  his 
servile  garb  for  the  citizen  dress,  he  could  not  be  re- 
cognized as  a  slave.  You  yourself  profess  to  be 
opposed  to  white  slavery." 

"  Did  you  state  that  you  believed  Paul,  when  he 
sent  Onesimus  back  to  Philemon,  had  no  idea  that 
he  would  be  regarded  as  a  slave,  and  treated  as  such 
after  his  return?" 

"I  did.  My  proof  is  in  Philemon,  verses  15  and 
1 6,  where  the  apostle  asks  that  Onesimus  be  received, 
not  as  a  servant,  but  as  a  brother  beloved  ? " 

"Did  you  tell  Mr.  Creath  that  you  knew  some 
negroes  who  were  better,  in  every  respect,  than  some 
white  men  ?  " 

"  I  said  that  I  knew  some  negroes  who  were  better 
classical  scholars  than  any  white  men  I  had  as  yet 
met  in  Choctaw  county,  and  that  I  had  known 
some  who  were  pre-eminent  for  virtue  and  holiness. 
As  to  natural  rights,  I  made  no  comparison ;  nor  did 
I  say  anything  about  superiority  or  inferiority  of 
race.  I  also  stated  my  belief  in  the  unity  of  the 
races," 

"  Have  you  any  abolition  works  in  your  library, 
and  a  poem  in  your  scrap-book,  entitled  '  The  Fugi- 
tive Slave,'  with  this  couplet  as  a  refrain, 

'  The  hounds  are  baying  on  my  track; 
Christian,  will  you  send  me  back?   " 


02  TUPELO. 

"  I  have  not  Mrs.  Stowe's  nor  Helper's  work  ;  they 
are  contraband  in  this  region,  and  I  could  not  get 
them  if  I  wished.  I  have  many  works  in  my  library 
containing  sentiments  adverse  to  the  institution  of 
slavery.  All  the  works  in  common  use  amongst  us, 
on  law,  physic,  and  divinity,  all  the  text-books  in 
our  schools — in  a  word,  all  the  works  on  every  sub- 
ject read  and  studied  by  us,  were,  almost  without 
exception,  written  by  men  opposed  to  the  peculiar 
institution.  I  am  not  alone  in  this  matter." 

"Parson,  I  saw  Cowper's  works  in  your  library, 
and  Cowper  says : 

1 1  would  not  have  a  slave  to  fan  me  when  I  sleep, 
And  tremble  when  I  wake,  for  all  the  wealth 
That  sinews  bought  and  sold  have  ever  earned.'  " 

"You  have  Wesley's  writings,  and  Wesley  says 
that  '  Human  slavery  is  the  sum  of  all  villainy.'  You 
have  a  work  which  has  this  couplet : 

'  Two  deep,  dark  stains,  mar  all  our  country's  Bliss : 
Foul  slavery  one,  and  one,  loathed  drunkenness.' 

You  have  the  work  of  an  English  writer  of  high 
repute,  who  says,  '  Forty  years  ago,  some  in  England 
doubted  whether  slavery  were  a  sin,  and  regarded 
adultery  as  a  venial  offence ;  but  behold  the  progress 
of  truth  !  Who  now  doubts  that  he  who  enslaves 
his  fellow-man  is  guilty  of  a  fearful  crime,  and  that 
he  who  violates  the  seventh  commandment  is  a  great 
sinner  in  the  sight  of  God?' ' 

"  You  are  known  to  be  an  adept  in  phonography, 
and  yon  are  reported  to  be  a  correspondent  of  an 
abolition  phonographic  journal." 


TUPELO.  53 

"  I  understand  the  science  of  phonography,  and  I 
am  a  correspondent  of  a  phonographic  journal,  but 
the  journal  eschews  politics." 

Another  member  of  the  committee  then  interro- 
gated me. 

"  Parson  Aughey,  what  is  funnyography  ?  " 

"Phonography,  sir,  is  a  system  of  writing  by 
means  of  a  philosophic  alphabet,  composed  of  the 
simplest  geometrical  signs,  in  which  one  mark  is  used 
to  represent  one  and  invariably  the  same  sound." 

"Kin  you  talk  funnyography?  and  where  does 
them  folks  live  what  talks  it?" 

"Yes,  sir,  I  converse  fluently  in  phonography,  and 
those  who  speak  the  language  live  in  Columbia." 

"In  the  Deestrict?" 

"No,  sir,  in  the  poetical  Columbia." 

I  was  next  interrogated  by  another  member  of  the 
committee. 

"Parson  Aughey,  is  phonography  a  abolition 
fixin'?" 

"Nor,  sir;  phonography,  abstractly  considered,  has 
no  political  complexion ;  it  may  be  used  to  promote 
either  side  of  any  question,  sacred  or  profane,  mental, 
moral,  physical,  or  political." 

"Well,  you  ought  to  write  and  talk  plain  English, 
what  common  folks  can  understand,  or  we'll  have  to 
say  of  you,  what  Agrippa  said  of  Paul,  '  Much  learn- 
ing hath  made  thee  mad.'  Suppose  you  was  to  preach 
in  phonography,  who'd  understand  it? — who'd  know 
what  was  piped  or  harped?  I'll  bet  high  some 


54  TUPELO. 

Yankee  invented  it  to  spread  his  abolition  notions 
underhandedly.  I,  for  one,  would  be  in  favor  of 
makin'  the  parson  promise  to  write  and  talk  no  more 
in  phonography.  I'll  bet  phonography  is  agin  slav- 
ery, tho'  I  never  hearn  tell  of  it  before.  I'm  agin 
all  secret  societies.  I'm  agin  the  Odd-fellers,  Free- 
masons, Sons  of  Temperance,  Good  Templars,  and 
phonography.  I  want  to  know  what's  writ  and 
what's  talked.  You  can't  throw  dust  in  my  eyes. 
Phonography,  from  what  I've  found  out  about  it  to- 
day, is  agin  the  Confederate  States,  and  we  ought  to 
be  agin  it." 

Parson  Locke  then  resumed : 

"I  must  stop  this  digression.  Parson  Aughey,  are 
you  in  favor  of  the  South?" 

"  I  am  in  favor  of  the  South,  and  have  always  en- 
deavored to  promote  the  best  interests  of  the  South. 
However,  I  never  deemed  it  for  the  best  interests  of 
the  South  to  secede.  I  talked  against  secession,  and 
voted  against  secession,  because  I  thought  that  the 
best  interests  of  the  South  would  be  put  in  jeopardy 
by  the  secession  of  the  Southern  States.  I  was  honest 
in  my  convictions,  and  acted  accordingly.  Could  the 
sacrifice  of  my  life  have  stayed  the  swelling  tide  of 
secession,  it  would  gladly  have  been  made." 

"  It  is  said  that  you  have  never  prayed  for  the 
Southern  Confederacy." 

"I  have  prayed  for  the  whole  world,  though  it  is 
true  that  I  have  never  named  the  Confederate  States 
in  prayer." 


TUPELO.  OO 

"  Where  and  by  whom  were  you  educated  ?  " 

"In  my  childhood  I  attended  the  free  schools  in 
New  York  state  and  also  in  Steubenville,  O.  I  was 
a  student  of  Grove  Academy,  in  Steubenville,  O., 
1844-5.  Rev.  J.  W.  Scott,  D.D.,  was  the  principal. 
I  was  a  student  of  Richmond  College,  Richmond, 
Jefferson  Co.,  Ohio,  three  years.  Rev.  J.  R.  W. 
Sloane,  D.D.,  was  the  president.  Prior  to  this  I 
studied  classics  two  years  with  Rev.  John  Knox,  of 
Springfield,  Jefferson  Co.,  O.  I  am  an  alumnus  of 
Franklin  College,  New  Athens,  Harrison  Co.,  O., 
was  graduated  during  the  presidency  of  Rev.  A.  D. 
Clark,  D.D." 

"Did  you  ever  attend  Oberlin  College,  O.?"  said 
the  presiding  officer. 

"  I  never  had  that  honor,  sir." 

"  What  were  the  views  of  your  educators  on  the 
slavery  question?" 

"They  all  believed  that  human  slavery  was  a 
moral,  social,  and  political  evil — a  cancer  on  the 
body  politic,  to  be  eradicated  as  soon  as  possible  by 
mild  means,  or  by  heroic  treatment  as  the  exigencies 
of  the  case  might  demand,  in  order  to  the  preserva- 
tion of  the  national  life.  Since  I  came  South  I  have 
taught  in  Winchester,  Ky.,  Baton  Rouge,  La.,  Mem- 
phis, Tenn.,  Holly  Springs  and  Rienzi,  Miss.,  and 
have  been  acting  pastor  of  the  churches  of  Waterford 
and  Spring  Creek,  in  the  Presbytery  of  Chickasaxv, 
near  Holly  Springs,  Miss.;  and  of  Bethany  Church 
in  North  Mississippi  Presbytery." 


56  TUPELO. 

"Are  you  a  Mason  or  Odd  Fellow  ? "  said  Parson . 
Locke. 

"  I  object  to  that  question,"  said  Mr.  Armstrong, 
who  belonged  to  a  church  that  refused  to  fellowship 
any  members  of  secret  societies. 

"I  will  not  press  the  question,"  said  the  parson. 
"  You  may  retire." 

As  I  wended  my  way  home  I  saw  a  large  con- 
course in  front  of  the  shop,  in  the  garb  or  rather 
guise  of  hunters.  They  had  guns  upon  their  shoul- 
ders and  pistols  in  their  belts.  I  recognized  the 
majority  of  them  as  Unionists  who  had  come,  doubt- 
less, to  see  that  no  harm  befell  me.  There  were  a 
few  virulent  secessionists  in  the  post-office,  who,  as 
I  passed  through  it  to  the  street,  looked  fiercely  at 
me,  and  with  horrid  blasphemy  gave  their  views  as 
to  what  fate  should  befall  traitors,  tories,  submission- 
ists,  and  unionists.  These  remarks  were  intended 
for  my  ears. 

After  I  had  retired,  Parson  Locke  said  :  "  Mr. 
Cartledge,  what  is  your  opinion  ?  Is  Parson  Aughey 
guilty  or  not  guilty  of  the  crimes  charged  against 
him  in  the  indictment?  " 

"Guilty,  sir,  guilty.  I  node  that  afore  I  come 
here  to-day.  I  node  it  after  I  hcarn  him  preach 
that  sermon  agin  secession,  an'  when  I  seed  him  rite 
out  an'  vote  the  Union  ticket  I  dident  need  no  more 
evidence  of  his  a  being  guilty  of  all  that  is  charged 
agin  him,  an'  more  too.  Put  me  down  in  favor  of 
hangin'." 


TUPELO.  57 

"Very  well  said,  Mr.  Cartledge.  An  honest,  un- 
equivocal, straightforward  expression  of  your  con- 
victions. General  Bolivar,  let  us  hear  from  you." 

Bolivar  was  a  foundling.  The  gentleman  at 
whose  gate  the  babe  was  abandoned  gave  him  to  the 
colored  women  to  raise.  He  was  a  great  admirer  of 
the  South  American  patriot  and  liberator,  General 
Simon  Bolivar,  so  he  named  the  waif,  Simon  Bolivar. 
The  gentleman  lived  in  Boyle  Co.,  Ky.,  on  Rock 
Creek,  near  Danville.  Bolivar,  when  grown,  mar- 
ried a  poor  white  girl,  and  they  lived  in  a  cave  on 
the  banks  of  that  stream.  He  joined  his  fortunes 
to  a  class  of  poverty-stricken  people  who  were  known 
as  rock  angels,  from  their  habitation  amid  the  clefts 
of  the  rocks.  They  procured  a  precarious  livelihood 
by  hunting  and  fishing,  often  eking  out  their  meagre 
supply  of  life's  necessaries  by  predatory  excursions 
to  the  sheep-folds  and  hen-roosts  of  the  neighboring 
gentry.  Bolivar  came  to  Mississippi  in  the  employ 
of  a  man  who  brought  a  drove  of  mules  for  sale,  and 
liking  the  climate  he  returned  and  brought  his  family. 

Bolivar,  when  addressed,  started  suddenly  as  from 
an  apparent  revery,  and  ejecting  a  quantity  of  arnbier 
from  his  filthy  mouth,  replied :  "  I  agrees  with  my 
neighbor  Cartledge.  Better  men  nor  him  hez  been 
hung  in  this  county  lately,  an'  it  has  done  good.  I 
can't  see  no  reason  why  he  shouldent  hang,  an'  that's 
the  way  I  votes." 

"Major  Wilbanks,  how  do  you  vote  in  regard  to 
the  guilt  or  innocence  of  the  prisoner?" 


58  TUPELO. 

"You  wish  my  candid  opinion?" 

"Yes,  we  do." 

"  Well,  then,  I  will  give  it  for  what  it  is  worth. 
I  am  in  favor  of  a  free  country,  a  free  press,  free 
speech — free  men,  a  free  ballot  and  fair  count." 

"  You  might  have  added  free  niggers  and  com- 
pleted your  free  catalogue,"  said  Parson  Locke. 
"Bro.  Simpson,  please  give  us  your  opinion  and 
advice." 

"  Parson,  I  am  halting  between  two  opinions.  I 
do  not  approve  the  views  of  my  pastor,  but  he  has 
never  committed  any  overt  act  of  treason.  We  can 
afford  to  wait  for  that.  It  may  be  possible — should 
the  sentiments  of  those  who  have  spoken  prevail — 
that  civil  war  would  be  inaugurated  in  our  midst. 
The  assembled  crowd  in  front  of  this  building  is 
ominous  of  evil.  I  have  looked  out  upon  them,  and 
I  know  that  many  of  the  men  out  there  have  been 
far  more  outspoken  in  the  expression  of  opinions 
adverse  to  the  Southern  Confederacy  than  him  whom 
we  have  had  before  us  to-day,  and  they  are  armed  to 
the  teeth." 

Parson  Locke  turned  pale,  and  said  if  Bro.  Simp- 
son thought  there  was  any  immediate  danger  of  ex- 
citing a  riot,  he  would  adjourn  the  session  till  some 
time  in  the  near  future,  when,  it  was  hoped,  the  ex- 
citement would  have  subsided. 

Mr.  John  Mecklin  arose  and  said,  "  I  am  but  a 
spectator,  but  I  Avould  advise  you  to  adjourn  at  once. 
Many  of  our  best  people  think  this  to  be  an  un- 


TUPELO.  59 

warranted  and  illegal  proceeding.  Civil  law  is  still 
in  force,  and  even  if  it  were  superseded  by  military 
law  that  fact  would  not  justify  the  arbitrary  course 
of  this  committee,  who  have  acted  without  any 
proper  or  competent  authority,  civil  or  military. 
This  man  is  not  under  your  jurisdiction,  and  you 
may  have  to  answer  for  this  day's  proceedings." 

Parson  Locke,  who  was  an  arrant  coward,  replied 
that  he  could  not  fully  agree  with  the  last  two  speak- 
ers, but  in  the  interests  of  peace  and  harmony  he 
would  adjourn  this  meeting  to  a  time  in  the  near 
future,  when  it  would  be  convened  at  the  call  of  the 
president. 

The  committee  then  hastily  adjourned.  Par-son 
Locke  made  his  exit  by  a  door  in  the  rear  of  the 
building,  and,  making  a  circuit  through  the  woods, 
reached  his  home  without  observation. 

The  crowd  was  informed  that  an  adjournment  had 
taken  place,  and  that  no  formal  verdict  had  been  ren- 
dered. In  a  short  time  the  crowd  had  dispersed. 
Some  of  the  more  violent  secessionists  were  greatly 
exasperated  when  they  learned  that  the  vigilance 
committee  had  not  rendered  a  verdict  of  guilty  and 
ordered  my  execution.  They  determined  to  take  the 
matter  into  their  own  hands.  I  was  speedily  advised 
of  their  threats.  My  friends  provided  me  with  arms, 
and  I  resolved  to  defend  myself  to  the  best  of  my 
ability.  One  evening  I  had  gone  over  to  a  neighbor's, 
Mr.  Pickens  Mecklin's.  It  was  the  dark  of  the 
moon.  As  I  returned,  at  a  late  hour,  I  heard  the 


60  TUPELO. 

trampling  of  steeds.  I  concealed  myself  as  they 
approached  me.  When  they  had  come  quite  near,  the 
men  dismounted  and  tied  their  horses  to  trees.  One 
said,  "Do  you  think  he's  at  home?"  Another,. 
"  Well,  boys,  the  tory  parson's  got  to  sup  with  Pluto 
to-night."  Another  said,  "All  I'm  afeard  of  is  that 
some  of  us  will  have  to  sup  with  him  in  Pluto's  do- 
minions. He's  got  fight  in  him,  an'  no  mistake." 

I  had  heard  enough.  I  hastened  home.  My  wife 
had  retired.  I  quickly  armed  myself,  after  barri- 
cading the  doors.  After  awhile  there  came  a  knock. 
No  notice  was  taken  of  it.  Soon  a  voice  said,  "  Hal- 
loo !"  Within  the  house  all  was  silent  as  the  grave. 
I  had  cocked  both  barrels  of  a  gun  heavily  loaded 
with  buckshot.  I  sat  on  a  chair  and  aimed  at  the 
door,  resolved  to  shoot  the  first  that  entered,  should 
they  succeed  in  breaking  in  the  door.  Soon  there 
was  a  noisy  demonstration.  At  length  two  of  the 
men  volunteered  to  go  to  the  rear  of  the  building,  to 
the  woodpile,  and  get  a  log  to  use  as  a  battering- rani 
to  break  down  the  door.  In  their  hot  haste  they  ran 
against  a  clothes-line.  I  had  eked  the  line  with  a 
piece  of  telegraph  wire  that  some  one  in  Vaiden  had 
given  me  a  short  time  before.  Both  of  these  men, 
John  Cook  and  a  Mr.  Tower,  were  prostrated  by  the 
recoil,  and  quite  severely  injured.  Cook  was  ren- 
dered unconscious,  and  Tower  howled  like  a  beaten 
hound.  Several  ran  to  their  assistance.  At  this 
juncture  two  volleys  of  firearms  were  heard  in  quick 
succession.  My  would-be  assassins  ran  and  cried 
and  fled. 


TUPELO.  61 

A  Mr.  Denman  had  just  finished  digging  a  well 
for  me.  The  structure  at  the  surface,  to  guard  against 
the  danger  of  falling  into  the  well,  had  not  been  com- 
pleted. Some  of  the  fugitives  fell  into  the  well,  de- 
scending with  the  bucket.  How  they  succeeded  in 
getting  out,  I  know  not.  Dr.  Le  Grand  told  me  of 
one  man,  who  was  his  patient,  who  died  of  the  in- 
juries received  on  that  eventful  night.  How  I  had 
been  so  opportunely  delivered  was  a  mystery  I  could 
not  fathom.  My  little  daughter  said  to  her  mother, 
in  the  lull  of  the  storm,  "  Ma,  may  I  pray  those 
verses  you  taught  me?"  Upon  receiving  permission, 
she  arose  in  bed,  knelt  upon  the  pillow,  and  folding 
her  little  hands,  said :  "  The  angel  of  the  Lord  en- 
campeth  round  about  them  that  fear  him,  and  he 
delivereth  them.  The  righteous  cry,  and  the  Lord 
heareth  them  and  delivereth  them  out  of  all  their 
troubles.  They  cry  unto  the  Lord  in  their  trouble, 
and  he  bringeth  them  out  of  their  distresses.  Oh, 
that  men  would  praise  the  Lord  for  his  goodness  and 
for  his  wonderful  works  to  the  children  of  men. 
Deliver  us,  O  our  God,  out  of  the  hand  of  the 
wicked,  out  of  the  hand  of  the  unrighteous  and  cruel 
men.  Oh,  God !  be  not  far  from  us.  Oh,  God  ! 
make  haste  for  our  help.  For  Christ  our  Redeemer's 
sake.  Amen."  Then  she  lay  down,  and  was  soon 
lost  in  innocent  and  unconscious  slumber. 

In  an  hour  after  the  flight  of  these  midnight  ma- 
rauders I  heard  a  knock,  which  I  recognized  as  a 
preconcerted  signal  of  recognition  among  Unionists. 


62  TUPELO. 

I  went  to  the  back  door,  whence  the  knock  sounded, 
and  signaled  a  reply.  A  low  voice  then  uttered  in  a 
distinct  tone  the  sentence,  "  Liberty  and  union,  now 
and  forever,  one  and  inseparable."  I  opened  the 
door ;  half  a  dozen  friends  entered.  They  and  others, 
who  remained  on  duty,  had  been  guarding  my  house 
unknown  to  me.  They  remained  an  hour,  uttering 
words  of  comfort,  and  gave  me  the  assurance  of  all 
the  assistance  I  should  need,  though  at  the  peril  of 
their  lives.  After  part:ng  salutations,  I  opened  the 
door,  and  my  friends  disappeared  \a  the  darkness. 
We  named  this  the  battle  of  Wyandoue,  the  name  of 
my  home.  Probably  the  first  blood  of  the  war  was 
shed  in  this  rencontre. 

"  War  is  dread  when  battle  shock  and  fierce  affray 
Perpetuate  a  tyrant's  name; 
But  guarding  freedom's  holy  fane, 
Confided  to  her  valiant  keeping, 
The  sword  from  scabbard  leaping 
Flashes  a  heavenly  light." 

In  the  afternoon  of  the  next  day  Elder  John  Meck- 
liu  and  his  estimable  wife  came  to  visit  us,  bringing 
their  young  son  Reemer  M-ith  them.  Mr.  Mecklin 
advised  us  to  say  nothing  about  this  attempt  upon  my 
life,  as  reticence  in  war  time  was  a  virtue.  The  per- 
petrators of  the  dastardly  attack  would  conceal  theii 
participation  in  it,  even  though  some  of  their  number 
should  die  of  their  wounds.  Excitement  must  be 
allayed  as  much  as  possible.  He  feared  that  this 
assault  would  be  followed  by  others,  till  they  had 
accomplished  their  nefarious  purpose.  He  said  that 


TUPELO.  63 

my  public  position  and  avowed  sentiments,  and  the 
fact  that  I  was  of  northern  birth  and  education,  had 
concentrated  upon  me  the  malice  of  all  those  of  seces- 
sion proclivities,'  but  he  assured  me  that  my  friends 
would  defend  me  at  the  risk  of  their  lives.  I  advised 
him  of  my  intention  of  removing  into  Attala  county, 
near  Nazareth  church,  which  was  also  in  my  field  of 
labor.  He  approved  this  course,  since  the  excitement 
here  ran  very  high,  but  affirmed  that  there  was  no 
place  within  the  seceded  states  very  safe  for  one  whose 
Unionism  was  of  so  pronounced  a  type. 

At  this  time  there  was  a  man  named  Dr.  Smith 
who  resided  in  Canton,  Mississippi.  He  frequently 
visited  friends  in  Choctaw  county.  He  was  a  violent 
secessionist.  Having  learned  of  the  failure  of  the 
attempt  upon  my  life,  he  resolved  to  take  charge  of 
the  matter  himself,  and  execute  summary  vengeance 
upon  one  who  had  too  long  been  suffered  to  live. 

I  had  the  charge  of  three  churches  —  Poplar 
Creek  and  French  Camp,  in  Choctaw  county,  and 
Nazareth,  in  Attala  county.  French  Camp  was 
twelve  miles  from  my  home,  and  Nazareth  twenty- 
eight  miles  distant.  Dr.  Smith  determined  to  come 
to  French  Camp  on  the  Sabbath  I  preached  in  that 
church,  and  kill  me  there.  He  ordered  his  fast  trot- 
ter, Bucephalus,  to  be  attached  to  the  buggy,  and  pre- 
paring his  pistols,  he  started  in  hot  haste  ta  effect  his 
murderous  purpose.  He  reached  French  Camp  about 
one  o'clock  P.M.  He  learned  that  after  service  I  had 
gone  to  dine  with  Major  Garrard.  This  was  a  mis- 


64  TUPELO. 

take;  I  dined  with  Col.  Hemphill.  Dr.  Smith 
dined  with  Dr.  John  Hemphill.  He  made  known 
to  DK.  Hemphill  the  object  of  his  visit.  The  doctor 
tried  in  vain  to  dissuade  him  from  his  purpose.  He 
now  determined  to  follow  me  to  my  home  and  murder 
me  there.  He  called  at  Col.  Hemphill's  and  learned 
that  I  had  dined  with  the  colonel,  and  had  left  en- 
ronte  for  my  home  an  hour  before.  I  called  at 
Esquire  Pilcher's  to  see  his  daughter,  Miss  Belle,  who 
was  quite  ill  of  malarial  fever.  After  administer- 
ing to  her  spiritual  need,  I  pursued  my  journey 
homeward.  Dr.  Smith  had  just  passed,  driving  Jehu- 
like  (furiously).  I  followed  rapidly,  as  a  storm 
seemed  imminent.  I  heard  the  Vehicle  in  advance 
and  tried  to  overtake  it,  as  I  desired  company  on  this 
lonely  road,  but  my  horse  was  no  match  for  the  doc- 
tor's swift  steed,  so  I  providentially  failed  to  over- 
take him. 

About  three  miles  from  my  home  Dr.  Smith  left 
the  main  road  for  one  that  led  to  a  Methodist  chapel. 
He  drove  up  to  the  chapel,  descended  from  his  buggy 
and  ordered  a  colored  boy  to  hold  his  horse.  He  ap- 
proached a  group  of  men,  and  noticing  one  who  was 
quite  well  dressed  and  had  a  ministerial  look  and 
bearing,  addressed  him  thus: 

"  Are  you,  sir,  a  messenger  of  the  Lord  of  Hosts?" 

The  gentleman  smiled  and  made  no  reply.     The 

doctor  then  presented  a  pistol  and  fired.      The  ball 

passed  through  the  lungs  of  his  victim.     Reason  had 

left  her  throne.     The  doctor  was  a  raving  maniac. 


TUPELO.  65 

The  congregation  rushed  out  of  the  chapel,  took  the 
doctor  into  custody,  and  resolved  to  administer  sum- 
mary vengeance  according  to  the  code  of  Judge  Lynch. 
While  they  were  waiting  for  a  halter  for  which  they 
had  sent,  Dr.  Smith's  brother  and  other  friends 
arrived.  They  rescued  him  with  difficulty  from  the 
infuriated  crowd,  conveyed  him  to  his  home  in  Can- 
ton, an  alienist  pronounced  him  hopelessly  insane, 
and  he  soon  after  became  an  inmate  of  the  insane 
asylum  at  Jackson.  Deacon  Colclough  (pro.  kokely), 
the  doctor's  victim,  lingered  for  months  on  the  border 
of  the  spirit  land.  The  latest  information  I  had  in- 
dicated a  fatal  termination.  Thus  in  the  providence 
of  God  I  was  once  more  delivered  from  the  wrath  of 
man. 

A  rumor  found  its  way  into  the  papers  that  I  had 
been  fatally  shot  by  Dr.  Smith,  of  Canton.  A  friend 
residing  in  Carthage,  Leake  county,  sent  me  a  paper 
containing  this  notice: 

"  Rev.  John  H.  Aughey,  a  Presbyterian  minister, 
who  has  been  doing  evangelistic  work  in  Attala  and 
Choctaw  counties,  was  fatally  shot  last  week  by  Dr. 
Smith,  of  Canton.  The  doctor  was  a  monomaniac. 
He  believed  himself  to  be  commissioned  by  heaven 
to  exterminate  all  who  were  not  friendly  to  the  Con- 
federate States  of  America.  He  had  been  informed 
that  Mr.  Aughey  had  expressed  disloyal  sentiments, 
and  was  a  leader  of  the  disaffected.  He  left  home 
with  the  avowed  intention  of  killing  him  on  sight. 
The  doctor's  brother,  learning  the  nature  of  his  mis- 
5 


66  TUPELO. 

sion,  followed,  but  was  unable  to  overtake  him  till  he 
had  committed  the  fatal  deed.  The  particulars  we 
have  not  learned.  Mr.  Aughey  had  the  reputation  of 
being  an  able  minister,  and  very  faithful  in  the  dis- 
charge of  his  ministerial  duties.  That  he  was  one  of 
the  disaffected  is  true.  The  extent  of  his  opposition 
w6  have  not  learned.  In  times  of  great  excitement 
rash  acts  are  committed  which  are  not  warranted  or 
required  for  the  public  safety.  We  regret  Mr. 
Aughey 's  tragic  end,  and  if  justifiable  we  regret  the 
necessity  that  required  it.  He  leaves  a  widow  and 
one  child.  Requiescat  in  pace." 

Commodore  Spiva,  a  planter  and  leading  member 
of  my  church  in  Attala  county,  offered  myself  and 
family  a  home  as  members  of  his  family  upon  condi- 
sion  that  I  would  superintend  the  studies  of  his  son 
and  daughter.  They  had  entered  upon  a  course  of 
private  study  supplementary  to  the  finished  education 
they  had  received  it  the  college  and  seminary.  We 
were  now  domiciled  in  his  spacious  mansion  on  the 
banks  of  the  meandering  Yockanookany.  We  en- 
joyed comparative  quiet  for  a  time.  My  students 
were  very  much  enamored  of  belles-lettres,  and  we 
took  delightful  rambles  in  the  higher  walks  of  liter- 
ature. We  enjoyed  a  continuous  feast  of  reason  and 
flow  of  soul.  In  my  absence  my  wife  became  my 
vicegerent,  and  their  rapid  advance  was  not  retarded. 

The  battle  of  Manassas  had  been  fought  and  the 
boastful  spirit  of  the  secessionists  was  almost  unendur- 
able. The  whole  confederacy  did  nothing  but  brag 


TUPELO.  67 

of  what  had  been  done  and  what  would  be  done  if 
the  Yankees  persisted  in  their  futile  attempts  to  sub- 
jugate the  South.  The  South  was  arming  for  the 
war.  Joyfully  and  with  alacrity  the  young  chivalric 
sons  of  the  slave-holding  aristocracy  responded  to 
the  call  for  volunteers.  The  young  ladies  presented 
company  and  regimental  flags  of  costly  material, 
deftly  embroidered  by  their  own  fair  fingers  with  rare 
and  significant  designs,  to  every  regiment  as  it  left 
for  the  theater  of  war.  Upon  their  departure  to  the 
seat  of  war,  they  were  given  an  ovation,  barbecues 
were  held,  grandiloquent  orations  were  pronounced, 
in  which  the  superiority  of  the  South  over  the  North 
in  valor,  military  skill,  and  chivalric  spirit  was  an- 
nounced in  terms  that  admitted  no  contrary  opinion. 
They  were  assured  that  when  they  returned  victor- 
ious— of  which  result  there  was  not  the  least  shadow 
of  doubt — and  had  secured  the  independence  of  a 
glorious  slave-holding  confederacy,  they  would  be 
honored  living,  and  when  tlead  their  memory 
would  be  embalmed  in  the  hearts  of  a  grateful  pos- 
terity and  remembered  with  veneration,  even  until 
the  last  moment  of  recorded  time.  Sax-horn  bands 
discoursed  de  icious  music.  "  The  Bonnie  Blue 
Flag  that  Boasts  a  Single  Star,"  "Maryland,  my 
Maryland,"  and  pre-eminently,  "  Dixie,"  were  played 
and  sung  by  band  and  orchestra  and  choir.  The 
South  had  donned  her  holiday  attire,  and  wine-cup, 
dance,  and  song  ruled  the  hour. 

"Oh!  that  the  Yankees  would  come,"  cried  they, 


68  TUPELO. 

"  we  would  welcome  them  with  bloody  hands  to  hos- 
pitable graves.  One  of  our  companies  is  equivalent 
to  a  regiment  of  Yankees,  and  a  southern  regiment 
more  than  a  match  for  ten  thousand  northern 
mudsills." 

One  evening  Commodore  Spiva  met  me  as  I  walked 
museful  in  a  grove.  He  joined  me  in  a  walk,  and 
shortly  drew  me  to  a  seat  beneath  a  fig  tree  and  thus 
began: 

"  Are  you  aware  that  your  life  is  in  danger?  " 

"  Whence  the  danger  ?  " 

"  There  are  men  in  our  neighborhood  that  would 
have  made  the  attempt  to  assassinate  you  ere  this,  but 
they  know  you  are  under  my  protection.  I  fear  that 
as  you  travel  about  in  the  discharge  of  your  pastoral 
duty  they  may  waylay  and  murder  you." 

"I  am  prepared,  if  attacked,  to  defend  myself." 

"Your  pistols  would  avail  nothing  at  long  range 
against  men  armed  with  rifles." 

"Well,  whatwoul'd  you  advise?" 

"Dr.  Hughes  will  call  upon  you  to-morrow  and 
inform  you  of  the  decision  arrived  at  at  an  informal 
meeting  attended  by  the  leading  members  and  sup- 
porters of  Nazareth  Church." 

On  the  next  day  Dr.  Hughes  called  to  inform  me 
that  if  I  wished  to  live  long  on  the  earth  I  must  de- 
clare my  adhesion  unequivocally  to  the  government 
of  our  nation,  the  sovereign  state  of  Mississippi,  and 
also  my  good-will  toward  the  subordinate  Confeder- 
ate States  of  America,  and  my  approval  of  their 
constitutions. 


TUPELO.  69 

"  Declare  my  adhesion  unequivocally  to  the  gov- 
ern ment  of  our  nation,  the  sovereign  state  of  Missis- 
sippi, and  also  my  good-will  toward  the  subordinate 
Confederate  States  of  America,  and  my  approval  of 
their  constitutions?  Doctor,  is  there  any  virtue  in 
such  a  political  creed  to  promote  long  life?" 

"Yes,  we  all  think  so,  and  we  believe  the  time  has 
come  when  we  cannot  longer  tolerate  any  sentiments 
in  conflict  with  the  vie\ys  of  the  dominant  class  in 
our  country.  AVe  like  you  as  a  man  and  as  a  min- 
ister, but  we  deprecate  your  treasonable  opinions, 
and  we  cannot  much  longer,  if  we  would,  save  you 
from  the  vengeance  of  the  soldiers  and  the  vigilantes. 
I  will  call  to-morrow  for  your  decision." 

On  the  morrow  he  called,  and  I  told  him  that  I 
had  decided  to  return  to  Tishomingo  county.  He 
expressed  his  approval.  I  removed  my  household 
goods  to  Goodman,  a  town  on  the  Mississippi  Cen- 
tral R.  R.,  ordering  their  shipment  to  luka.  I  con- 
veyed my  wife  and  child  by  private  conveyance. 
We  spent  one  night  in  Macon,  Noxubee  Co.  Rev. 
James  Pelan  had  been  called  to  the  pastorate  of  the 
Presbyterian  church  of  Macon.  He  was  a  Unionist. 
A  committee  was  appointed  by  the  citizens  to  ex- 
amine his  library.  Many  of  his  books  were  con- 
demned by  this  committee  as  containing  abolition 
sentiments.  Rev.  James  Pelan  was  a  man  of  excel- 
lent spirit — a  ripe  scholar  and  a  worthy  Christian 
gentleman.  His  life  was  being  embittered  by  his 
political  enemies.  Every  sermon  was  misconstrued 


70  TUPELO. 

and  tortured  into  teaching  something  contrary  to  the 
interests  of  the  sovereign  state  of  Mississippi  and  the 
Confederate  States  of  America.  Threats  of  lynching 
were  freely  made.  The  Unionists  often  conveyed 
secret  information  of  plots  against  the  life  of  this 
good  man.  Often  his  foes  endeavored  to  impair  his 
reputation  by  slander  and  calumny,  but  these  as  often 
recoiled  upon  their  fabricators.  Wearied  of  such  a 
life  of  turmoil,  he  resigned  his  charge  and  removed 
to  the  country,  but  the  malice  of  his  enemies  pursued 
him  to  his  rural  retreat.  One  evening,  when  walk- 
ing on  the  lawn  near  his  home,  concealed  assassins 
fired  upon  him,  wounding  him  severely.  For  a  long 
time  he  lingered  between  life  and  death,  but  a  natu- 
rally strong  constitution,  together  with  good  nursing, 
triumphed,  and  he  began  to  convalesce.  But  his 
enemies  were  on  the  alert,  and  ascertaining  that  he 
was  likely  to  recover,  three  devils  incarnate  came 
armed  to  his  house.  Mr.  Pelan  was  sitting  in  a 
chair  eating  some  delicacy  that  his  wife  had  prepared 
for  him.  These  demons  in  human  form  asked  Mrs. 
Pelan  if  they  could  have  supper.  She  replied, 
"Certainly,  I  will  order  my  servants  to  prepare  sup- 
per for  you.'  She  left  the  room  to  give  the  order 
These  men  then  arose  and  one  of  them  said,  "All  the 
supper  we  want  is  to  kill  you,  you  infernal  Unionist 
and  abolitionist."  Instantly  they  all  three  fired  upon 
their  wounded  and  defenseless  victim.  Mrs.  Pelan, 
hearing  the  report,  rushed  in  and  caught  her  husband 
in  her  arms.  In  ten  minutes  he  was  a  corpse.  Be- 


TUPELO.  71 

fore  losing  consciousness  the  dying  martyr  said, 
"  Father,  forgive  them,  they  know  not  what  they 
do."  He  also  said,  "  Farewell,  dear  wife,  I  die,  but 
the  government'still  lives  and  will  eventually  subvert 
rebellion,  for  God  is  just."  His  last  utterance  was, 
"  Lord  Jesus,  receive  my  spirit."  Rev.  James  Pelan 
was  of  English  birth  and  parentage.  His  brother. 
Rev.  Wm.  Pelan,  was  pastor  of  the  Presbyterian 
church  in  Connorsville,  Ind.,  for  twenty  years,  now 
of  Wells,  Faribault  Co.,  Minn. 

Thus  died  one  of  my  co-presbyters  and  dear  friends. 
When  our  presbytery — the  presbytery  of  Tombeck- 
bee — convened  at  Aberdeen,  we  lodged  and  roomed 
together  at  the  female  seminarv,  of  which  Rev.  R.  S. 

o  •/  / 

Gladney*  was  principal.  Rev.f  R.  S.  Gladney  was  a 
violent  secessionist.  He  had  just  written  a  poetical 
defense  of  slavery,  and  was  woefully  vexed  that  the 
blockade  had  prevented  his  publishers,  the  Lippen- 
cotts,  of  Philadelphia,  from  sending  him  the  books. 
A  young  licentiate  named  Gallaudet  was  ordained  at 
this  session  of  presbytery  to  the  full  work  of  the 
gospel  ministry.  Mr.  Gladney  rebuked  him  quite 
severely  in  open  presbytery  because  he  had  given  a 
negative  answer  to  the  question,  "Will  slavery  exist 
during  the  millennium?"  Mr.  Gladney  affirmed 
that  it  would  exist  during  the  millennium,  and  would 
also  exist  in  a  modified  form  in  heaven.  The  neces- 
sity of  the  marriage  relation  would  terminate  with 
earth,  but  he  thought  the  southern  people  would  re- 
quire slaves  in  heaven  in  order  to  promote  their 
highest  happiness. 


72  TUPELO. 

Rev.  Gallaudet  became  pastor  of  the  Presbyterian 
church  in  Aberdeen.  Being  a  Unionist,  the  seces- 
sionists bitterly  opposed  him.  At  length  to  save  his 
life  he  was  compelled  to  abandon  his  field  of  labor. 
He  made  good  his  escape  to  the  North.  But  poor 
Pelan  was  not  so  fortunate.  The  villain  most  promi- 
nent in  his  murder  was  killed  in  battle  just  three 
days  after  his  diabolical  crime.  The  righteous  retri- 
bution of  Divine  Providence  was  not  long  delayed. 
Near  this  Judge  Chisholm  and  his  lovely  daughter 
were  murdered  by  the  Ku  Klux  Klan. 

We  spent  one  night  in  Okolona,  lodging  at  a 
hotel.  A  friend  whom  I  had  long  known  lived  here. 
His  name  was  Col.  Carothers.  He  was  ^a  strong 
secessionist.  He  met  me  just  as  I  had  given  my 
horse  and  buggy  into  the  care  of  the  proprietor  of 
the  hotel.  He  advised  me  to  register  under  an  as- 
sumed name,  as  the  vigilantes  had  my  name  on  their 
list  of  proscribed  persons,  and  if  recognized  my  fate 
would  be  sealed.  He  said :  "  On  the  morrow  a 
regiment  will  leave  for  the  seat  of  war  in  Virginia, 
and  if  your  presence  should  become  known  they  will 
surely  take  your  life.  Colin  Mclvor  was  hanged 
last  Monday  as  a  Unionist,  although  I  and  several 
others  exerted  our  utmost  influence  to  save  his  life. 
But  it  was  without  avail.  We  pleaded,  but  in  vain, 
for  a  respite  of  two  hours  that  he  might  make  his 
will  and  bid  his  family  farewell." 

I  demurred  and  declared  that  I  was  not  ashamed 
of  my  name,  that  I  had  not  done  anything  to  dis- 


TUPELO.  73 

grace  it.  He  assured  me  that  I  must  take  his  advice 
or  pay  the  penalty  of  my  temerity  with  my  life.  I 
walked  up  to  the  register  and  made  this  record: 
"  George  Bush-rod  Washington,  wife,  and  daughter, 
Mt.  Vernon,  Va."  After  supper  we  entered  the 
ladies  parlor.  Mrs.  Des  Lande,  a  lady  boarder  at  the 
hotel,  called  our  child  to  her,  took  her  into  her  lap 
and  said :  "  What  is  your  name,  my  dear?" 

"  Anna  Kate  Aughey,"  she  lisped. 

"  Where  do  you  live  ?  " 

"  Near  Kosciusko,  Attala  Co.,  Mississippi." 

"  Where  are  you  traveling?" 

"  To  grandpa's,  Mr.  Alexander  Paden's,  at  luka. 
But  I  think  my  pa  is  going  to  'scape  Norf  from  the 
bad  people  that  tried  to  kill  him.  I  heard  him  tell 
ma  so.  I  ask  God  every  day  to  take  care  of  my 
dear  pa,  and  ma  does  too.  We  are  good  people  and 
love  God;  what  do  they  want  to  shoot  my  poor  pa 
for?" 

The  ladies  present  gave  each  other  significant 
glances.  Soon  after  Col.  Carothers  called  me  out. 
Said  he:  "You  should  not  have  registered  by  a 
name  so  renowned.  It  has  attracted  the  attention  of 
all  the  loungers  at  the  hotel,  and  your  little  daughter, 
Major  Linden  informs  me,  has  betrayed  your  secret. 
You  should  have  registered  your  nom  de  guerre  as 
John  Smith,  of  Pontotoc,  or  some  obscure  town.- 
Xow  do  you  and  family  retire  to  your  room  at  once. 
I  will  arrange  for  your  safety  with  Major  Linden. 
He  will  order  an  early  breakfast,  and  you  can  start 


74  TUl'ELO. 

by  daylight  or  a  little  before.  Drive  rapidly  to 
avoid  pursuit,  if  it  should  be  made,  and  it  would  be 
Avell  to  start  southward  and  make  a  circuit  as  a 
blind." 

We  took  his  advice,  and  left  ere  the  shades  of  night 
had  lifted  from  the  magnolia-embowered  streets  of 
Okolona.  We  started  in  a  southern  direction,  made 
a  circuit  of  several  squares,  and  left  the  town  via  the 
northern  suburbs.  My  good  horse,  Bcllerophon, 
assumed  a  gait  that  led  us  to  fear  no  pursuers. 

"  They  will  have  swift  steeds  that  follow  with  any 
prospect  of  success,"  said  my  wife. 

Our  horse  slackened  not  his  speed  for  several  hours, 
and  our  babe  slept  sweetly  and  calmly.  While  the 
guests  were  at  breakfast  that  morning  in  Okolona 
the  chief  of  the  vigilantes  called  to  ascertain  the  ante- 
cedents and  business  in  their  city  of  the  traveler  who 
had  registered  as  George  Bushrod  Washington.  He 
learned,  to  his  surprise  and  regret,  that  he  had  left  at 
an  early  hour.  The  landlord  disclaimed  all  knowl- 
edge of  him  or  of  his  destination.  At  a  meeting  of 
the  vigilantes  that  morning  this  matter  was  brought 
to  their  attention,  but  no  definite  action  was  taken, 
for  lack  of  testimony,  except  that  this  telegram  was 
sent  to  Tupelo:  "Look  sharp  for  a  suspicious  char- 
acter traveling  in  a  buggy  with  a  lady  and  child.  He 
travels  incognito,  or  rather,  under  the  assumed  name 
of  George  Biinhrod  Washington.  If  he  visits  Tu- 
pelo, arrest  him  and  send  us  word.  He  evaded  us  by 
leaving  in  the  night.  All  charges  will  be  paid  out 


TUPELO.  ( 0 

B  -V 

of  our  secret  service  fund."  Similar  messages  were 
sent  southward  to  the  vigilantes  in  Columbus, 
Lowndes  county,  and  Meridian,  Lauderdale  county. 

Upon  reaching  Marietta,  Prentiss  county,  we  met 
Misses  Bettie  Greene  and  Josephine  Young,  my  former 
pupils  at  the  Rienzi  Female  College.  At  their  urgent 
solicitation,  we  spent  the  night  with  their  parents. 
These  families  were  Unionists.  They  informed  us 
that  Messrs.  Wroten  and  Nowliu,  Unionists,  had 
been  abducted  by  the  vigilantes  a  month  ago,  and 
had  not  been  heard  of  since.  They  were  either  lan- 
guishing in  prison,  or  had  been  murdered.  Their 
families  wrere  in  great  distress  because  of  their  omi- 
nous absence.  We  reached  the  residence  of  Mr.  Alex- 
ander Paden,  my  wife's  father,  the  next  afternoon,  at 
four  o'clock,  without  further  incident  of  interest,  ex- 
cept that  when  we  reached  Mackey's  creek  we  met 
Major  Stephen  Davenport  and  Dr.  Orton  Choate,  two 
virulent  secessionists,  who  hurrahed  for  Jeif  Davis 
and  the  Southern  Confederacy.  They  asked  me  how 
that  suited  me.  I  replied,  "I  am  in  favor  of  the 
Union,  the  Constitution,  and  the  enforcement  of  the 
laws."  They  produced  a  flask  of  liquor  and  drank 
contusion  and  death  to  all  Yankees,  tories,  traitors, 
subniissionists,.  renegades,  and  abolitionists,  North 
and  South.  Saying,  "We  will  see  you  later,"  they 
rode  off,  brandishing  their  sword-canes  and  singing 
"Dixie"  in  maudlin  tones. 

Upon  our  arrival  in  Tishomingo  county  I  found 
that  the  great  heart  of  the  county  still  beat  true  to 


76  TUPELO. 

the  music  of  the  Union.  At  the  last  election  they 
were  permitted  to  hold  the  Union  delegates  received 
1,400  majority.  Union  sentiments  could  be  expressed 
with  entire  safety  in  many  localities.  Corinth,  luka, 
and  Rienzi  had  been  from  the  commencement  of  the 
war  camps  of  instruction  for  the  training  of  Confed- 
erate soldiers.  These  three  towns  in  the  county  being 
thus  occupied,  Unionists  found  it  necessary,  in  their 
vicinity,  to  be  more  cautious,  as  the  cavalry  made 
frequent  raids  throughout  the  county,  arresting  and 
maltreating  those  suspected  of  disaffection.  Cor- 
inth is  a  very  important  strategical  point,  situated  in 
a  semi-mountainous  country,  a  branch  of  the  Appa- 
lachian range  which  diverges  from  the  Allegheny 
mountains  and  forms  the  mountains  and  gold-bearing 
regions  of  Georgia  and  Alabama.  Here,  also,  is  the 
junction  of  the  Memphis  and  Charleston  with  the 
Mobile  and  Ohio  railroads,  which  form  the  means  of 
communication  between  the  Atlantic  and  Gulf  sea- 
boards. After  the  reduction  of  Forts  Henry  and 
Donelson,  and  the  surrender  of  Nashville,  the  Con- 
federates made  the  Memphis  and  Charleston  railroad 
the  base  of  their  operations,  their  armies  extending 
from  Memphis  to  Chattanooga.  Soon,  however,  they 
were  all  concentrated  at  Corinth,  in  Tishomingo 
county. 

Tishomingo  and  luka  were  two  Indian  chieftains. 
The  town  of  luka  was  named  for  one  and  Tisho- 
mingo Co.  for  the  other.  After  the  battle  of  Shiloh, 
which  was  fought  on  the  6th  and  7th  of  April,  1862, 


TUPELO.  77 

the  Federal  army  advanced  to  Farmington,  four  miles 
north  of  Corinth,  while  the  Confederates  occupied 
Corinth,  their  rear  extending  to  Rienzi,  twelve  miles 
south  on  the  Mobile  &  Ohio  railroad.  Thus  there 
were  two  vast  armies  encamped  in  Tishomingo  Co. 
Being  within  the  Confederate  lines,  I,  in  common 
with  many  other  loyalists,  found  it  difficult,  to  evade 
the  rigorously  enforced  conscript  law.  Believing 
that  in  a  multitude  of  counselors  there  is  wisdom,  we 
held  secret  meetings  in  order  to  devise  the  best  meth- 
ods for  evading  the  law.  We  met  at  midnight's 
weird  and  solemn  hour.  Often  our  wives,  sisters, 
and  daughters  met  with  us.  Our  meeting  place  was 
some  ravine  or  secluded  glen,  or  by  some  mountain 
m?re,  as  far  as  possible  from  the  haunts  of  the  seces- 
sionists. All  were  armed;  even  the  ladies  carried 
concealed  revolvers  which  they  knew  well  how  to 
use.  We  had  countersigns  so  as  to  recognize  friends 
and  discern  enemies.  Taisez  vous  was  the  counter- 
sign known  by  loyalists  from  the  Ohio  river  to  the 
Gulf  of  Mexico.  The  recognition  of  it  was  Oui,  Oui 
(pronounced  we,  we).  It  was  never  discovered  by 
the  disloyal  during  the  war.  The  nefarious  crime  of 
treason  we  were  resolved  not  to  commit.  Our  coun- 
sels were  somewhat  divided.  We  did  not  coincide 
in  opinion  upon  the  question  whether  we  should  at- 
tend the  militia  musters.  Some  advocating  as  a 
matter  of  policy  the  propriety  of  attending  them; 
others,  myself  among  the  number,  opposing  it  for 
conscience's  sake,  and  for  the  purpose  of  avoiding 


78  TUPELO. 

every  appearance  of  evil.  Many  who  would  not 
muster  nor  be  enrolled  as  conscripts  resolved  to  es- 
cape to  the  Federal  lines,  and  making  the  attempt  in 
squads,  under  skillful  guides  who  could  course  it  from 
point  to  point  through  the  densest  forests,  with  the 
unerring  instinct  of  the  panther  or  catamount  or 
aborigines,  at  length  reached  the  Union  army,  en- 
listed under  the  old  flag,  and  have  since  done  good 
service  as  patriot  warriors. 

The  vigilantes  became  very  troublesome.  They 
arrested  and  murdered  Unionists  wherever  they 
could  be  found.  Few  loyalists  dared  sleep  at  home, 
but  seeking  out  some  jungle  or  copse  they  impro- 
vised a  rude  arbor  or  den  in  which  they  spent  the 
night,  and  to  which  they  betook  themselves  when  an 
alarm  was  given  by  their  families  or  friends.  Late 
one  evening  I  saw  the  beacon  fires  burning.  Alt.  Sinai 
was  all  ablaze,  the  flames  ascending  high.  The  moon 
was  obscured  by  dark  dismal  clouds.  Mt.  Nebo 
was  lurid.  The  lambent  flames  from  Pisgah  had 
enveloped  a  stately  pine — long  since  dead — standing 
on  the  lofty  summit  far  above  all  other  trees.  Her- 
mon  and  Iloreb  were  dark  as  Erebus.  Unless  these 
two  were  illuminated  it  was  but  a  call  to  an  ordinary 
meeting.  We  gave  these  peaks  those  names  to  desig- 
nate them  so  that  by  the  fires  kindled  upon  them 
they  might  serve  as  danger  signals  or  call  together  in 
solemn  assemblage  the  scattered  Unionists.  At  10 
o'clock  P.M.  Horeb  and  Hermon  blazed  out  from 
their  lofty  summits.  The  fierce  and  spiral  flames 


TUPELO.  79 

recalled  the  pictures  of  Etna  and  Vesuvius  in  the 
geographies  of  my  school  days,  where  the  mighty 
waves  of  glittering  fire,  through- some  internal  con- 
vulsion, shot  from  their  craters  far  upward  into  the 
midnight  sky.  These  indicated  a  special  call,  either 
some  impending  danger  was  to  be  guarded  against  or 
some  Unionist  had  been  wounded  or  slain.  I  was 
just  returning  from  a  visit  to  Josselyn,  Amos,  Petrie, 
Aaron,  and  Morrow,  who  were  in  hiding  and  were 
awaiting  the  return  of  the  guides  who  had  gone  with 
a  squad  to  the  Federal  lines.  As  soon  as  I  ascer- 
tained that  Hermon  and  Horeb  were  blazing  I  re- 
turned to  the  lair  of  these  hidden  ones,  and  when  from 
the  summit  of  a  hill  they  had  seen  the  signal  fires 
blazing,  they  at  once  started  to  the  place  of  rendez- 
vous. I  did  the  same  after  I  had  secreted  my  horse 
in  the  stable  of  a  friend. 

THE    MIDNIGHT     MEETING,    AND     BATTLE    IN     GOOD 
SPRINGS    GLEN. 

Dark  hills  frowned  on  every  side;  the  waters  of 
a  crystal  spring  bubbled  up  and  in  mournful  cadence 
murmured  a  sad  refrain,  then  swiftly  glided  away 
adown  the  glen ;  the  midnight  moon  gazed  wistfully 
down  from  the  zenith;  fitful  clouds  and  the  over- 
arching branches  of  the  lofty  forest  trees,  stately 
monarchs  of  the  woods,  obscured  her  light.  I 
reached  the  place  of  rendezvous  just  at  the  noon  of 
night.  Quietly  approaching  from  all  possible  points, 
human  forms  appeared,  gliding  noiselessly  into  the 


80  TUPEPO. 

narrow  arena  around  the  spring.  The  numbers  in- 
creasing, this  place  was  tacitly  surrendered  to  the 
women,  the  men  retreating  to  the  hillsides  adjacent. 
John  Beck  received  in  a  whisper  from  each  the  coun- 
tersign, "The  Union  Forever."  He  reported  ninety- 
four  present,  sixty-five  men  and  twenty-nine  ladies. 
T  was  the  presiding  officer,  supported  by  two  vice 
presidents,  Henry  Spence  and  Byron  Hall. 

Washington  Gortney  arose  and  said :  "  Mr. 
President — We  are  here  assembled  to  determine  what 
is  the  best  method  of  evading  the  conscript  law  and 
keeping  out  of  the  rebel  army.  I  favor  enlisting  in 
the  Federal  army.  We  will  then  be  far  more  effi- 
cient in  defending  our  government  from  subversion 
by  traitors.  James  Reece,  who  is  seated  by  yonder 
linden  tree,  and  I  have  proved  our  faith  by  our 
works.  We  are  soldiers  in  the  Federal  army.  We 
fought  at  Shiloh  and  are  with  the  army  at  Farming- 
ton  assisting  in  the  siege  of  Corinth,  and  soon  we 
hope  to  capture  that  stronghold  and  bring  deliverance 
to  the  persecuted  Unionists  in  North  Mississippi.  If 
you  stay  here  you  will  be  forced  into  the  rebel  army, 
or  you  will  be  shot  or  hung,  as  too  many  of  our 
loyal  fellow  citizens  have  been.  There  are  already 
three  hundred  from  this  county  in  the  Federal  army, 
and  four  hundred  from  Franklin,  the  county  contigu- 
ous to  this  in  North  Alabama.  Leave  your  families; 
it  will  be  only  for  a  short  time.  Corinth  will  fall 
and  before  the  Fourth  of  July  this  county,  and  prob- 
ably the  whole  state,  will  be  delivered  from  rebel 


TUPELO.  81 

domination.  I  will  make  this  motion :  Be  it  re- 
solved, that  we  believe  it  to  be  conducive  to  the  best 
interests  of  ourselves  personally,  and  the  Union 
cause,  to  which  we  will  ever  adhere,  for  all  of  suitable 
military  age  to  escape  to  the  Federal  army  now  be- 
sieging Corinth  and  to  enlist  in  that  army." 

Carle  Bitter  arose  and  said :  "  With  all  my  heart 
I  second  this  motion,  and  I  hope  that  it  may  be 
adopted  with  entire  unanimity.  Our  numbers  have 
been  more  than  decimated  by  rebel  violence  within 
the  last  month,  and  I  firmly  believe  that  this  resolu- 
tion presents  the  best  method  of  securing  our  own 
safety  and  overthrowing  this  ungodly  rebellion 
against  the  best  government  that  ever  existed  on 
earth — a  rebellion  inaugurated  by  slave  holders  in 
the  interests  of  an  institution  we  detest." 

The  president  called  for  remarks.  Several  made 
brief  addresses  in  favor  of  its  passage.  It  was  then 
passed  with  entire  unanimity. 

At  this  juncture  ominous  sounds  were  heard. 
Dark  forms  were  seen  on  the  hillside  to  the  south. 
Soon  a  line  of  battle  was  formed  by  our  foes.  We 
quietly  formed  in  line  on  the  north  hillside.  They 
dispatched  a  messenger  who  crossed  the  ravine  to  in- 
form us  that  they  were  friends.  John  Beck  hurried 
over  and  found  that  they  had  a  former  countersign, 
but  he  saw  Bill  Robinson  and  Major  Ham  at  the 
head  of  the  line.  Then  we  knew  that  we  had  been 
betrayed  and  must  fight  for  our  lives  without  hope 
of  quarter  if  defeated.  We  told  them  not  to  ap- 
6 


82  TUPELO. 

proach  a  step  nearer  as  we  knew  their  character. 
Major  Ham  was  in  command  of  this  force  sent  to  de- 
stroy us.  He  crossed  the  ravine  and  informed  us 
that  he  had  been  within  twenty  feet  of  the  president 
of  the  meeting,  had  heard  the  speeches  and  resolu- 
tions passed,  was  cognizant  of  our  traitorous  designs 
against  the  Southern  Confederacy,  and  informed  us 
that  we  must  surrender  unconditionally,  give  up  our 
arms,  and  be  sent  as  prisoners  to  Corinth.  He  would 
give  us  ten  minutes  for  consultation.  Should  we  re- 
fuse he  would  not  hold  himself  responsible  for  the 
consequences.  He  feared  that  we  would  all  be  put 
to  death.  We  replied  that  we  would  not  surrender 
but  would  stand  for  our  lives  and  do  the  best  we 
could,  if  attacked.  He  retired,  deprecating  our 
course.  They  were  startled  at  our  apparent  numbers. 
They  were  led  to  believe  that  there  were  but  few  of 
us,  and  that  our  disparity  of  force  compared  with 
theirs  would  lead  us  to  surrender  at  once.  Had  we 
surrendered  not  one  of  us  would  have  left  that  glen 
alive.  The  gathering  clouds  indicated  the  near  ap- 
proach of  a  storm.  The  lightning  flashed,  the  thun- 
der rolled,  the  rain  commenced  to  fall  in  torrents. 
In  the  midst  of  the  storm  Ham's  men  advanced  and 
delivered  a  volley.  James  Brown  fell  dead  at  my  side. 
Smith  Burgess  was  shot  through  the  left  hand.  We 
returned  the  fire  with  effect.  The  women  crowded 
round  the  spring  in  terror,  all  except  Sadie  Beck 
and  Sallie  Hitter,  who  from  behind  two  trees  kept 
up  an  incessant  fire  with  navy  repeaters.  This  in- 


TUPELO.  83 

decisive  contest  had  continued  for  an  hour.  The 
storm  had  passed  and  the  moon  shone  brightly,  no 
cloud  intervening.  John  Beck  detached  nineteen  men, 
passed  down  the  glen,  and  making  a  circuit  ap- 
proached from  the  summit  of  the  hill  in  the  rear  of 
Ham's  men.  Our  fire  slacking  someAvhat,  Ham  re- 
solved on  a  charge  across  the  ravine.  As  they  crossed 
the  ravine  we  fired  rapidly ;  one  man  approaching 
me  I  emptied  all  the  chambers  of  my  revolver.  He 
did  the  same  with  his.  I  was  now  without  any  means 
of  defense.  He  approached  and  raised  his  revolver 
to  strike  me  with  it.  I  -struck  first  and  he  fell  un- 
conscious at  my  feet.  At  that  moment  I  received 
a  blow  on  my  head  and  fell  unconscious  on  my  pros- 
trate foe.  The  last  sounds  I  heard  were  the  cheers 
of  Beck  and  his  men  coming  down  the  hill  in  the 
rear  of  Ham.  When  consciousness  returned  I  was 
lying  on  a  bed  in  a  cabin  surrounded  by  forest  trees. 
Two  ladies  were  the  only  persons  present  in  the 
cabin,  one  of  whom  was  seated  at  my  bedside.  On 
the  green-sward  in  front  of  the  door  lay  a  man  bound 
with  cords.  Gortney  and  Reece  were  seated  on  the 
ground  near  him.  Gortney  had  recognized  him  as 
the  guerilla  who  had  murdered  his  brother  only  a 
week  before  because  of  his  Unionism,  and  for  this 
crime  declared  that  he  must  die.  At  the  moment  of 
my  fall  Ham  and  his  force,  finding  themselves  as- 
saulted in  front  and  rear,  precipitately  retreated,  leav- 
ing the  Unionists  masters  of  the  field.  Six  were 
killed  outright,  two  Unionists  and  four  rebels.  The 


84  TUPELO. 

dead  were  buried  in  separate  graves  on  the  hillside. 
I  pleaded  for  the  life  of  Bill  Hodge,  but  Gortney 
was  inexorable.  I  told  him  that  I  forgave  Hodge 
for  the  wound  he  had  inflicted  upon  me.  Gortney 
and  Reece  went  to  procure  me  some  water.  After 
considerable  persuasion  I  secured  the  consent  of  the 
ladies  and  after  receiving  a  solemn  oath  from  Hodge 
that  he  would  not  reveal  the  whereabouts  of  the 
cabin  or  anything  to  our  injury  I  severed  the  cords 
that  bound  him  and  let  him  loose.  He  sprang  away 
nimbly,  and  was  ascending  a  knoll  fifty  yards  dis- 
tant when  the  sharp  report  ef  a  rifle  rang  out  on  the 
morning  air  and  I  saw  Hodge  fall.  When  Gortney 
reached  him  he  was  dead.  He  and  Reece  buried  him 
where  he  fell. 

On  the  evening  preceding  this  the  vigilantes  had 
tried  and  immediately  hung  George  Payson  and 
Rhoderick  Murchison.  They  compelled  them  to  dig 
their  own  graves,  and  then  hung  them  and  buried 
them  in  the  graves  they  had  dug.  They  had  insisted 
upon  being  buried.  The  vigilantes  said,  "  Yes,  we'll 
bury  you,  but  you  shall  dig  your  graves." 

Payson  said  that  he  was  a  citizen  of  Bay  Minette, 
Baldwin  Co.,  Ala.,  and  Murchison  claimed  his  resi- 
dence in  Citronelle,  Mobile  Co.,  in  the  same  state. 
He  had  removed  from  Multona  Springs,  Miss.,  a  few 
months  before.  They  said  when  arrested  that  they 
were  en  route  to  Enola,  Butler  Co.,  Ky.,  to  visit 
friends.  Upon  searching  them  a  letter  was  found  on 
the  person  of  Payson  which  read  thus : 


TUPELO.  85 

ALPHARETTA,  MILTON  Co.,  GA., 

Jan.  28,  1862. 
Dear  Gco.: 

The  Confederate  authorities  are  becoming  very 
cruel.  They  have  incarcerated  a  number  of  our 
neighbors  in  a  filthy  prison,  and  forced  several  into 
their  army.  They  say  traitors  to  their  Confederacy 
must  die  the  death  of  dogs.  My  brothers,  Leonidas 
and  Perceval,  have  not  slept  at  home  for  a  month. 
More  than  fifty  Unionists  are  in  hiding.  Good  guides 
are  difficult  to  procure.  Two  are  expected  from 
Selma  soon,  and  we  trust  they  will  be  successful  in 
conducting  to  the  Federal  lines  a  large  company. 
Gillam,  Gilson,  and  Gillette,  three  Unionists  of  Seg- 
uin,  Guadalupe  Co.,  Texas,  arrived  here  yesterday. 
They  had  many  hairbreadth  adventures  in  reaching 
this  place.  They  were  pursued  by  hounds,  but  suc- 
ceeded in  poisoning  the  dogs.  They  were  compelled 
to  leave  Lee  Ayler,  who  started  with  them,  sick  at 
the  house  of  that  staunch  Unionist,  Hornbrook  Grad- 
wohl.  O,  the  troublous  times  we  have  fallen  upon. 
I  hear  while  I  write  the  howling  of  the  hounds  in 
search  of  my  brothers  and  other  Unionists,  led  by 
those  terrible  vigilantes.  But  I  feel  sure  that  they 
will  not  be  able  to  find  them,  thanks  to  the  swamp, 
Little  Dismal,  and  their  knowledge  of  all  the  success- 
ful methods  of  destroying  the  scent  and  of  evading 
or  killing  the  dogs.  I  must  close.  I  have  to  pre- 
pare food  for  the  hidden  ones.  It  will  be  taken  to 
them  to-night.  Dear  cousin,  the  loyal  people  will 


86  TUPELO. 

never  be  satisfied  till  the  cruel  perpetrators  of  so 
great  outrages  upon  them  are  adequately  punished. 
They  deserve  a  severe  penalty  for  the  crimes  com- 
mitted to  promote  the  interests  of  a  usurpation  or- 
ganized to  destroy  the  best  government  this  world 
has  ever  known,  and  to  perpetuate  an  institution  sub- 
versive of  the  rights  of  man. 

Your  aifectionate  Cousin, 

JENNIE  SILVERTHORN. 

This  letter  led  the  vigilantes  to  infer  that  Payson 
and  Murchison  were  endeavoring  to  escape  to  the 
Federal  lines.  They  were  convicted  and  hanged, 
and  buried  in  the  grave  they  were  compelled  to  dig. 

I  received  three  citations  to  appear  on  a  certain 
day  to  be  enrolled  to  attend  muster  as  a  conscript.  I 
paid  no  attention  to  the  citations.  At  length  I  received 
this  summons  to  attend  court-martial : 

Ma.  the  22,  1862. 
Parson  John  H.  Awhay: 

You  havent  tended  nun  of  our  mustters  as  a  kon- 
skrip.  Now  you  is  herby  summenzd  to  atend  a  kort 
marshal  at  Jim  Mocks.  June  the  furst. 

BLOUNT. 

When  I  received  this  summons  I  called  a  meeting  of 
the  Unionists.  Several  had  on  the  same  day  received 
similar  official  notices  to  attend  the  court-martial. 
We  spent  a  whole  night  in  consultation.  We  were 
one  hundred  strong,  and  I  advocated  attending  in  a 
body,  properly  armed,  and,  if  necessary,  to  accept  the 


TUPELO.  87 

gage  of  battle,  but  McElhinny  and  Scotland's 
wives  had  learned  that  a  large  force  of  cavalry  from 
Corinth  would  be  sent  to  assist  the  vigilantes.  The 
majority  refused  to  credit  this  report  till  a  note  was 
read  from  Miss  May  Coe,  who  was  a  spy  in  our  in- 
terest. We  could  not  doubt  the  authenticity  of  her 
information,  corroborative  of  Mesdames  McElhinny 
and  Scotland's  report.  We  then  resolved  as  a  dernier 
resort  to  make  the  attempt  to  reach  Farmington, 
where  the  Federal  army  was  encamped  besieging 
Corinth.  When  I  reached  Rienzi  it  was  evident 
that  the  Confederates  were  evacuating  Corinth.  On 
the  1st  day  of  June  (the  day  appointed  for  the  con- 
vening of  the  court-martial)  I  had  the  pleasure  of 
once  more  beholding  the  star  spangled  banner,  as  it 
was  borne  in  front  of  General  Gordon  Granger's 
command,  which  led  the  van  of  the  pursuing  army. 
Thus  for  the  present  I  escaped  death  at  the  hands  of 
the  rebels. 

General  W.  S.  Rosecrans  upon  his  arrival  made 
his  head-quarters  at  the  house  of  my  brother,  David 
H.  Aughey,  where  I  had  the  pleasure  of  forming  his 
acquaintance,  and  that  of  Generals  Ammen,  Smith, 
Pope,  and  others.  Tishomingo  county  was  now 
measurably  in  possession  of  the  Federal  army.  Col. 
Elliott,  in  his  successful  raid  upon  Booneville,  passed 
Jim  Mock's,  at  whose  house  the  court-martial  was  to 
convene,  scaring  him  so  greatly  that  he  dared  not 
sleep  in  his  house  for  several  weeks.  The  Union 
cavalry, scoured  the  country  in  all  directions,  and  we 


88  TUPELO. 

were  rejoicing  in  the  prospect  of  continuous  safety 
and  freedom  from  outrage. 

The  rebels  in  their  retreat  had  burned  all  the  cot- 
ton which  was  accessible  to  their  cavalry  on  their  route. 
At  night  the  flames  of  the  burning  cotton  lighted  up 
the  horizon  for  miles  around.  These  baleful  pyres 
with  their  lurid  glare  bore  sad  testimony  to  the  hor- 
rors of  war.  In  this  wanton  destruction  of  the  great 
southern  staple,  many  families  lost  their  whole  staff 
of  bread,  and  starvation  stared  them  in  the  face. 
Many  would  have  perished  had  it  not  been  for  the 
liberal  contributions  of  the  North,  for  learning  of  the 
sufferings  of  the  poor  of  the  South,  whose  whole  sup- 
ply had  been  destroyed  by  pretended  friends,  they 
sent  provisions  and  money,  and  thus  many  who  were 
left  in  utter  destitution  were  rescued  from  perishing  by 
this  timely  succor.  I  have  often  heard  the  rejoicings 
and  benedictions  of  the  poor,  who,  abandoned  by  their 
supposed  friends,  were  saved  with  their  children  from 
death  by  the  beneficence  of  those  whom  they  had  been 
taught  to  regard  as  enemies — the  most  bitter,  impla- 
cable, and  unmerciful.  Their  prayer  might  well  be, 
"Save  us  from  our  friends,  whose  tender  mercies  are 
cruel."  I  have  never  known  a  man  to  burn  his  own 
cotton,  and  I  have  heard  bitter  anathemas  and  fierce 
invective  hurled  at  those  who  thus  robbed  them,  and 
their  denunciations  were  loud  and  deep  against  the 
government  which  authorized  such  cruelty.  It  is  true 
those  who  lose  their  cotton,  if  secessionists,  receive  a 
promise  to  pay,  which  all  regard  as  not  worth  the 


TUPELO.  89 

paper  upon  which  it  is  written.  Ere  pay  day  those 
who  are  dependent  upon  their  cotton  for  the  neces- 
saries of  life  would  have  passed  that  bourne  whence 
no  traveler  returns. 

'Tis  like  the  Confederate  bonds — at  first  they  were 
made  payable  two  years  after  date,  and  they  were 
printed  upon  paper  so  worthless  that  it  would  be  en- 
tirely wrorn  out  in  six  months,  and  the  promise  to 
pay  would  have  become  illegible  in  half  that  time. 
The  succeeding  issues  were  made  payable  six  months 
after  the  ratification  of  a  treaty  of  peace  between  the 
United  States  and  the  Confederate  States.  Though 
not  a  prophet,  nor  a  prophet's  son,  I  venture  the 
prediction  that  those  bonds  will  never  become  due. 
The  war  of  elements,  the  wreck  of  matter,  and 
the  crash  of  worlds  announcing  the  final  consum- 
mation of  all  things  will  be  heard  sooner. 

As  the  prospect  was  so  favorable  that  this  whole 
region  of  country  would  soon  be  in  the  hands  of  the 
Federal  troops  and  occupied  by  them,  I  deemed  it 
safe  to  return  to  my  father-in-law's,  in  the  south-east- 
ern part  of  Tishomingo  Co.  I  applied  to  Gen.  Rose- 
crans  for  a  pass  through  the  lines  for  myself,  wife, 
and  child.  Gen.  Rosecrans  went  with  me  to  see 
General  Pope,  and  after  introducing  me  and  vouching 
for  my  loyalty,  asked  him  for  the  pass  I  desired. 
Gen.  Pope  said  that  he  had  issued  orders  to  the  effect 
that  no  passes  through  the  lines  should  be  granted 
for  a  specified  time.  Gen.  Rosecrans  then  proffered 
to  send  Captain  Gilbert,  one  of  his  staff  officers,  with 


90  TUPELO. 

us  beyond  the  lines.  This  he  said  was  done  in  con- 
sideration of  the  kindness  I  had  shown  him  and  staff 
upon  his  arrival  in  Rienzi.  He  told  me  that  the 
rebels  were  over  there  in  the  woods  not  more  than  a 
fourth  of  a  mile  distant,  and  that  they  were  about  to 
move  upon  them.  He  advised  me  to  return  to  Rienzi 
till  the  rebels  were  driven  farther  south.  We  were 
then  near  Mr.  McClaren's,  seven  miles  from  Rienzi, 
on  the  road  to  Booneville.  I  resolved  to  run  the  risk, 
as  Mrs.  Aughey  was  anxious  to  return  to  her  father's. 
We  started  and  had  not  gone  far  when  the  screaming 
shells  and  bursting  bombs  came  howling  through  the 
valley.  Then  followed  the  rattle  of  musketry,  and 
presently  the  impinging  of  steel.  The  din  of  battle 
sounded  in  our  ears.  Suddenly  a  shell,  screeching  like 
a  howling  demon,  passed  over  us.  The  pomp  and 
circumstance  of  glorious  war  were  displayed  to  our 
startled  gaze.  A  retrograde  was  as  dangerous  as  a 
forward  movement,  and  we  persistently  followed  our 
leader,  Captain  Gilbert.  Our  child,  not  realizing  the 
danger,  laughed  merrily  at  the  grand  panorama. 
Soon  a  charge  was  sounded  and  the  rebels  fled  pell- 
mell,  pursued  vigorously  by  the  victorious  boys  in 
blue.  I  had  no  fear  for  my  own  personal  safety  be- 
cause of  the  excitement,  but  feared  greatly  that  some 
of  the  missiles  might  injure  wife  or  child.  But  they 
seemed  to  bear  a  charmed  life,  for  though  the  air  was 
full  of  messengers  of  death,  and  many  whistled  by  in 
close  proximity,  none  did  us  the  least  injury.  Several 
times  when  a  shell  exploded  near,  our  horse  reared 


TUPELO.  91 

and  plunged,  to  the  imminent  peril  of  the  occupants  of 
the  vehicle.  Before  the  noise  of  the  battle  had  wholly 
ceased  my  wife  pointed  to  a  navy  repeater^  lying-  on 
the  ground.  I  descended  from  the  buggy  and  secured 
it. 

At  this  time  all  marketable  commodities  were  com- 
manding fabulous  prices.  Flour  sold  at  $30  per  bar- 
rel, bacon  40  cents  per  pound,  coffee  one  dollar  per 
pound ;  salt  was  nominally  one  hundred  dollars  per 
sack  of  one  hundred  pounds,  but  there  was  none  to 
be  obtained  even  at  that  high  price.  All  manufactured 
goods  were  very  costly.  Upon  the  occupation  of  the 
country  by  Federal  troops  goods  could  be  obtained 
at  reasonable  prices,  but  our  money  was  all  expended 
except  Confederate  bonds,  which  were  worthless. 
Planters  who  lived  beyond  the  lines  of  the  retreating 
rebel  army  had  cotton,  but  they  feared  to  sell  it  as 
the  rebels  called  it  treason  to  trade  with  the  invaders, 
and  threatened  to  inflict  the  penalty  in  every  case. 
As  there  was  no  penalty  attached  to  the  selling  of 
cotton  by  one  Mississippian  to  another,  my  Unionist 
friends  offered  to  sell  their  cotton  to  me  for  whatever 
price  I  could  afford  to  pay.  I  was  also  solicited  to 
act  as  their  agent  in  the  purchase  of  commodities.  I 
agreed  to  this  risk  because  of  the  urgent  need  of  my 
friends,  many  of  whose  families  were  destitute  of  the 
indispensable  necessaries  of  life.  I  thought  it  was 
better  that  one  should  take  a  great  risk  than  that 
many  people  should  perish.  By  this  arrangement 
my  Unionist  friends  would  escape  the  punishment 


92  TUPELO. 

meted  out  to  those  who  were  found  guilty  of  trading 
with  the  Yankees ;  if  discovered  I  alone  would  be 
amenable^to  their  unjust  and,  under  the  appalling 
environment,  extremely  cruel  and  vindictive  laAV,  and 
my  friends  would  thus  save  their  cotton  liable  to  be 
destroyed  at  any  moment  by  a  dash  of  rebel  cavalry. 
I  sold  their  cotton,  procured  supplies  for  the  famish- 
ing, and  thus  relieved  the  wants  of  many.  I  did  not 
charge  one  cent  for  commission  fees,  and  expended 
one  hundred  dollars  of  my  own  money  to  furnish 
provisions  for  families  utterly  destitute,  some  of  whom 
had  not  tasted  food  for  days.  One  day  I  rode  into 
luka  to  the  head-quarters  of  Gen.  Wm.  Nelson.  The 
Gen.  told  me  that  he  learned  that  Norman's  bridge 
over  Bear  creek  was  held  by  a  force  of  rebels.  He 
asked  me  if  I  could  send  one  or  two  Union  men  to 
that  place  to  ascertain  the  number  and  position  of  the 
troops  holding  that  point.  I  replied  that  I  could. 
I  secured  the  services  of  Wm.  ami  John  Thompson, 
who  were  brothers  and  staunch  Unionists,  to  accom- 
plish this  hazardous  undertaking.  Only  one  of  them 
succeeded.  He  got  through  on  the  pretext  that  he 
was  desirous  of  getting  medicine  for  his  sick  wife. 
He  gave  the  diagnosis,  procured  the  medicine  at  a 
cost  of  three  dollars,  and  returned.  During  his  brief 
stay  he  learned  the  probable  number  and  disposition 
of  the  troops  stationed  at  the  bridge,  and  discovered 
the  vulnerable  point  and  recommended  a  plan  of  at- 
tack. I  conveyed  his  report  to  Gen.  Nelson.  The 
next  nio-ht  the  attack  was  made  and  not  a  rebel  sol- 


TUPELO.  93 

dier  escaped  death  or  capture.  Thus  was  Norman's 
bridge  captured  and  destroyed. 

One  day  I  rode  over  to  Mr.  Holland  Lindsay's  on 
business.  I  had  learned  that  he  was  a  rabid  seces- 
sionist, but  supposed  that  no  rebel  cavalry  had  come 
so- far  north  as  his  house  since  the  evacuation  of  Corr 
inth.  Mr.  Lindsay  had  gone  to  a  neighbor's.  His 
wife  was  engaged  in  weaving.  She  was  a  coarse, 
masculine  woman,  and  withal  possessed  of  a  strong 
prejudice  against  all  whom  she  did  not  like,  but  an 
especial  hatred  of  the  Yankees  rankled  in  her  bosom. 
I  sat  down  to  await  the  return  of  her  husband.  Soon 
Mrs.  Lindsay  broached  the  exciting  topic  of  the  day, 
the  war.  She  thus  vented  her  spleen  against  the 
Yankees  : 

"  There  wur  a  Yankee  critter  company  (cavalry) 
come  along  here  last  week.  They  hearn  a  noise  an' 
thought  our  troops  waz  a  cornin'  so  they  drawed  up 
in  two  streaks  of  fight  right  in  front  ov  our  house. 
Arter  a  while  they  axed  me  ef  I  haddent  seen  no 
rebels  scoutin'  round  here  lately.  I  jes'  tole  'em  it 
warntnone  ov  their bizness.  Them  nasty,  no-account 
scamps  callin'  our  men  rebels.  Them  triflin',  nigger- 
stealin'  scoundrels.  They  runs  off  our  niggers  an' 
won't  let  us  take  'em  to  Mexico  an'  the  other  terri- 
tories." 

I  ventured  to  remark,  "  The  Yankees  are  mean 
indeed,  not  to  let  us  take  our  negroes  to  the  territories 
and  not  help  catch  them  for  us  when  they  run  off." 

The  emphatic  us  and  our  *nettled  her,  as  none  of 


94  TUPELO. 

the  Lindsays  had  ever  owned  a  negro,  being  classed 
by  the  white  nabobs  as  poor  white  trash,  nor  did  I 
ever  own  a  slave. 

She  replied:  "  I've  hearn  that  you  is  a  tory."  She 
became  reticent,  indeed  quite  morose.  I  concluded 
to  ride  over  to  Mr.  Spigener's,  to  whose  house  Mrs. 
Lindsay  had  informed  me  her  husband  had  gone. 
On  the  way  I  met  Hill's  cavalry.  One  of  them 
halted  me,  inquired  my  name  and  business,  which  I 
gave.  He  informed  me  that  Mr.  Lindsay  had  gone 
across  the  fields  home  and  that  he  was  on  his  way  to 
Mr.  Lindsay's.  When  we  reached  Mr.  Lindsay's 
house  we  saw  him  in  the  yard.  I  transacted  my  busi- 
ness with  him  as  quickly  as  possible.  Some  soldiers 
had  gone  into  the  house.  Mrs.  Lindsay  told  them 
that  I  was  a  double-dyed  tory  and  advised  my  arrest. 
The  cavalrymen  were  all  around  me.  Davis,  Lind- 
say's nephew,  came  out  and  ordered  my  arrest.  He 
sent  my  horse  to  the  stable.  After  supper  my  horse 
was  brought  and  I  was  taken  to  camp.  I  was  now 
a  prisoner  in  the  hands  of  my  own  and  my  country's 
enemies.  Four  men  were  detached  to  guard  me  dur- 
ing the  night.  They  ordered  me  to  lie  down  on  the 
ground  and  sleep.  The  ground  was  wet  and  I  had 
no  blanket,  so  I  insisted  upon  going  to  Mr.  Spige- 
ner's, about  one  hundred  yards  distant,  to  secure  a 
bed.  They  Avould  not  consent,  but  I  started  without 
permission.  The  guards  followed  me.  Mr.  Spige- 
ner  gave  me  a  bed,  the  guards  remaining  in  the  room 
watched  me  while  I  -slept.  The  next  morning  I 


TUPELO.  95 

asked  permission  to  see  their  captain,  whose  name 
was  Hill.  I  asked  to  be  allowed  to  return  home,  in- 
forming him  that  I  had  been  arbitrarily  arrested  by 
some  of  his  men.  I  said  that  I  was  a  civilian  and 
not  amenable  to  military  law.  Capt.  Hill  replied : 

"Are  you  a  Unionist?" 

"  I  voted  the  Union  ticket,  sir." 

"  That  is  not  a  fair  answer.  I  voted  the  Union 
ticket  myself.  Kow  I  am  warring  against  the 
Union." 

"I  have  seen  no  valid  reason  for  changing  my 
sentiments." 

"  You  confess,  then,  that  you  are  a  Unionist  ?  " 

"  I  do.  I  regard  the  union  of  these  states  as  of 
paramount  importance  to  the  people  inhabiting  them." 

"You  must  go  to  head-quarters,  where  you  will  be 
dealt  with  as  we  are  accustomed  to  deal  with  all  the 
abettors  of  an  abolition  government." 

A  guard  numbering  fifteen  were  detached  to  take 
charge  of  me.  The  apparent  leader  was  a  soldier 
named  Saccapee  Vaudreuil,  who  claimed  that  he  was 
a  descendant  of  Pocahontas  in  the  10th  generation. 
They  then  started  to  convey  me  to  Fulton,  the  county 
seat  of  Itawamba  Co.,  Miss.  When  we  reached  a 
cross-roads  about  12  miles  from  the  point  of  starting, 
we  found  a  company  in  charge  of  a  Unionist  prisoner 
named  Benjamin  Clarke.  We  were  then  placed  in 
charge  of  two  men,  Dr.  Crossland,  of  Burnsville,  and 
Ferdinand  Woodruff.  They  were  under  the  influence 
of  liquor  and  were  very  insulting  in  their  denuncia- 


96  TUPELO. 

tions  of  all  traitors  to  the  Southern  Confederacy. 
They  detailed  to  each  other  a  history  of  their  licen- 
tious amours.  Dr.  Crossland  was  the  father  of  a 
very  pretty  little  girl  whose  mother  was  a  poor  white 
woman.  We  halted  for  dinner.  They  asked  me  to 
pay  for  it,  which  I  did,  they  promising  to  refund  the 
money  when  we  reached  Fulton.  This  they  forgot 
to  do. 

On  our  arrival  at  Fulton  we  were  taken  to  the 
head-quarters  of  Col.  Bradfute,  the  commander  of  the 
post.  My  fellow-prisoner  was  examined  first.  Wood- 
ruff stated  that  they  had  played  off  on  Clarke.  They 
had  visited  him  as  he  was  plowing  in  his  field,  tell- 
ing him  that  they  were  Federal  soldiers — they  were 
disguised  as  such — Clarke  assured  them  that  he  was 
a  Unionist,  and  that  he  hoped  soon  to  enlist  in  the 
Federal  army.  Bradfute  became  very  angry  upon 
hearing  this,  swearing  that  Clarke  ought  to  be  taken 
out  and  shot  then,  but  he  said  a  few  days'  respite 
would  make  but  little  difference,  as  Geu.  Beauregard 
would  not  allow  such  a  tory  to  live  long.  Said  he, 
addressing  the  guards,  "  Had  you  hung  Clarke  you 
would  have  saved  us  some  trouble  and  have  done 
your  country  good  service."  The  colonel,  turning 
round,  glared  upon  me  with  eyes  inflamed  with  pas- 
sion and  liquor,  and  thus  addressed  me :  "  Are  you 
a  Unionist,  too  ?  " 

"  I  am,  sir.     I  have  never  denied  it." 

"  Where  do  you  reside?" 

"  My  home  is  Rienzi,  Tishomingo  Co.,  Miss." 


TUPELO.  97 

"What  is  your  profession  ?" 

"I  am  a  minister  of  the  Gospel." 

"  I  suppose,  then,  that  you  go  to  the  Bible  for  your 
politics,  and  that  you  are  a  sort  of  higher  law  man?" 

"  My  Bible  teaches,  let  every  soul  be  subject  to  the 
higher  powers,  for  there  is  no  power  but  of  God.  The 
powers  that  be  are  ordained  of  God.  Whosoever, 
therefore,  resisteth  the  power,  resisteth  the  ordinance 
of  God,  and  they  that  resist  shall  receive  to  them- 
selves damnation.  I  have  seen  no  valid  reason  for 
resistance  to  the  government  under  which  as  a  nation 
we  have  so  long  prospered." 

"I  command  you  to  hush  ;  you  shan't  preach  trea- 
son to  me,  and  if  you  were  to  get  your  deserts  you 
would  be  hanged  immediately.  Have  you  ever  been 
within  the  Federal  lines?" 

"I  have,  sir." 

"At  what  points?" 

"Rienzi  and  luka." 

"  When  were  you  at  luka?" 

"On  last  Saturday." 

"  Had  the  Federals  a  large  force  at  that  place,  and 
who  was  in  command?" 

"  They  have  a  large  force,  and  Generals  Thomas 
and  Steedman  were  in  command." 

"  That  is  contrary  to  the  report  of  our  scouts,  who 
say  that  there  are  but  two  regiments  in  the  town. 
I  fear  you  are  purposely  trying  to  mislead  us." 

"Gen.  Steedman  has  but  two  regiments  in  the 
town,  but  Gen.  Geo.  II.  Thomas  is  within  striking 
distance  with  a  large  force." 

O 

7 


98  TUPELO. 

"What  was  your  business  at  luka?" 

"  I  went  there  to  pay  a  debt  of  fifty  dollars  which 
a  widow — Mrs.  Nixon  Pad  en — owed.  She  wished 
it  to  be  paid  in  Confederate  money  before  it  became 
worthless." 

"  Have  you  a  Federal  pass  ?  " 

"  I  have  none  with  me,  but  have  one  at  home." 

"How  does  it  read?" 

"It  was  given  by  Gen.  Wm.  Nelson,  and  reads 
thus :  l  The  bearer,  Rev.  John  H.  Aughey,  has  per- 
mission to  pass  backward  and  forward  through  the 
lines  of  this  division  at  will.'" 

"  Where  were  you  born  ?  " 

"  In  New  Hartford,  Oneida  Co.,  New  York." 

"Yankee  born,"  said  the  colonel,  with  a  sneer, 
"you  deserve  death  at  the  rope's  end,  and  if  I  had 
the  power  I  would  hang  all  Yankees  who  are  among 
us,  for  they  are  all  tories,  whatever  their  pretensions 
may  be." 

"  My  being  born  north  of  the  nigger  line,  Col.,  if 
a  crime  worthy  of  death,  was  certainly  my  misfor- 
tune, not  my  fault,  but  the  fault  of  my  parents. 
They  did  not  so  much  as  consult  me  as  to  any  pref- 
erence I  might  have  as  to  the  place  of  my  nativity." 

Woodruff,  one  of  the  guards,  now  informed  Col. 
Bradfute  that  I  was  a  spy,  and  while  the  Confeder- 
ates were  at  Corinth  had,  to  his  certain  knowledge, 
visited  Nashville,  Tenn.,  carrying  information. 

I  told  Woodruff  that  his  statement  was  false,  and 
that  he  knew  that  it  was  utterly  without  foundation 
in  fact. 


TUPELO.  99 

At  the  close  of  the  examination,  Col.  Bradfute  and 
an  officer,  whom  the  guards  told  us  was  Gen. 
Chalmers,  spent  fifteen  or  twenty  minutes  in  bitterly 
cursing  and  denouncing  all  traitors,  Yankees,  and 
tories,  as  they  termed  us. 

Gen.  Chalmers  wrote  me  from  Washington  City, 
while  he  was  a  member  of  congress,  that  he  was  not 
the  officer  Avho  was  present  with  Col.  Bradfute. 
That  on  that  day  he  was  eight  miles  east  of  Fulton, 
busily  engaged  in  making  preparations  for  a  battle 
with  Gen.  Philip  Sheridan,  which  was  fought  on 
the  next  day;  and  he  asserted  that  he  would  not 
have  treated  prisoners  with  so  great  insolence  and 
severity.  He  also  denied  any  complicity  in  the  Fort 
Pillow  massacre.  This  officer,  at  the  instance  of 
Col.  Bradfute,  wrote  to  Gen.  PfeifFer.  He  absented 
himself  for  a  short  time,  and  I,  from  my  position 
behind  his  chair,  could  read  the  letter.  The  follow- 
ing sentences  occurred  in  the  document :  "  An  avowed 
Unionist.  Has  done  our  cause  much  harm.  Advo- 
cates reconstruction  at  this  late  day.  A  pestilent 
fellow.  Has  in  our  presence  uttered  treasonable  sen- 
timents, and  seems  to  take  pleasure  in  doing  so. 
He  has  held  treasonable  correspondence  with  the 
enemy,  and  has  more  than  once  enacted  the  spy. 
We  can  furnish  testimony  to  establish  all  the  above 
charges."  We  were  then  placed  under  guard  and 
sent  to  the  head-quarters  of  Gen.  Pfeiffer,  in  Saltillo. 
We  were  brought  into  the  august  presence  of  this 
redoubtable  general.  When  he  read  the  letter  handed 


100  TUPEPO. 

him  by  the  guards,  he  soundly  berated  us,  and  then 
sent  us  out  a  mile  and  a  half  from  town,  where  we 
were  placed  under  guard  for  the  night  in  a  small 
plat  of  ground  surrounded  by  a  chain.  Quite 
a  number  of  prisoners  were  there  under  guard; 
it  was  a  sort  of  guard  house,  except  that  there 
was  no  house.  No  supper  was  furnished  us,  and 
the  bare,  cold  ground  was  our  bed  and  the  blue 
canopy  of  heaven  our  covering. 

The  next  morning  we  were  brought  into  the  pres- 
ence of  Gen.  Pfeiifer.  I  asked  for  breakfast.  This 
was  refused.  I  offered  to  pay  a  dollar  for  a  meal, 
as  I  was  very  hungry.  To  this  he  deigned  no  reply. 
I  then  offered  three  dollars  for  a  lunch  for  myself 
and  Clarke.  This  offer  was  arrogantly  refused.  He 
said  he  had  no  supplies  for  traitors  at  any  price. 

Said  he,  "I  learn  that  you  were  born  in  New 
Hartford,  New  York,  brought  up  in  Steubenville, 
Ohio.  How  long  have  you  lived  in  the  South?" 

"  I  have  lived  in  the  South  eleven  years." 

"  Where  have  you  lived?" 

"  In  Winchester,  Clark  county,  Ky.,  Baton  Rouge, 
La.,  Memphis,  Tennessee,  Holly  Springs,  Miss. 
My  home  at  present  is  Rienzi,  Miss." 

"Are  you  a  slave-holder?" 

"  I  am  not," 

"  Will  you  take  the  oath  of  allegiance  to  the  Con- 
federate States  of  America?" 

"I  will  not." 

"  Have  you  recently  taken  the  oath  of  allegiance 
to  the  United  States  of  America?" 


TUPELO.  101 

"I  have." 

"Where  and  when?" 

"Gen.  Wm.  Nelson  administered  to  me  the  oath 
June  8th,  1862,  at  his  head-quarters  in  luka,  Miss." 

"Do  you  regard  that  oath  of  any  binding  force?" 

"  I  do,  most  assuredly." 

"Did  you  take  it  voluntarily?" 

"I  certainly  did." 

"  Do  you  know  that  in  taking  that  oath  you  be- 
came guilty  of  treason  against  the  Confederate  States 
of  America,  and  the  Republic  of  Mississippi?" 

"  I  could  not  be  a  traitor  to  a  cause  I  never  es- 
poused, nor  betray  the  interests  of  a  government 
which  I  have  always  denounced  as  a  usurpation.  I 
profess  to  be  a  loyal  citizen  of  the  state  of  Mississ- 
ippi and  of  the  United  States  of  America,  and  I 
hope  to  see  this  state,  whose  true  interests  I  have 
ever  endeavored  to  promote,  return  to  her  allegiance 
to  the  Federal  Union  which  she  has  for  the  present 
endeavored  to  repudiate.  I  hope  the  sober  second 
thought  will  lead  her  to  see  and  repent  her  folly. 
Had  the  secession  ordinance  been  submitted  to  the 
people  and  a  free  ballot  and  a  fair  count  allowed, 
then  we  would  have  voted  it  down  by  a  majority  of 
more  than  two  to  one." 

"Are  you  a  higher  law  man?" 

"  Yes,  I  believe  in  the  command,  *  Let  every  soul 
be  subject  unto  the  higher  power/  the  powers  that 
be." 

"  Well,  the  Confederate  authorities  are  the  higher 


102  TUPELO. 

powers,  and  the  powers  that  be.  The  Confederate 
government  is  the  government  de  facto,  and  by  the 
Bible  rule  you  ought  to  submit  to  it  as  a  good  citi- 
zen." 

"Any  insurrectionary  faction  usurping  temporarily 
the  reins  of  government,  may  have  a  de  facto  power 
to  compel  obedience  to  its  behests  by  those  who 
are  willing  to  acquiesce  rather  than  endure  the 
penalty  for  resistance  of  its  illegal  and  tyrannical 
exactions.  Mobs  in  cities  are  often  the  powers  that 
be,  and  a  horde  of  bandits  have  often  been  the  de  facto 
rulers,  terrorizing  the  people  of  a  wide  district,  and 
for  a  time  defying  the  civil  authorities.  I  regard 
the  Federal  government  engaged  in  quelling  rebellion 
as  the  dejure  government  to  which  I  owe  allegiance. 
Those  who  are  engaged  in  rebellion  against  this  gov- 
ernment are  traitors  to  their  God,  recreant  to  their 
own  best  interests,  and  are  guilty  of  treason  against 
the  best  government  the  world  has  ever  known." 

"  Do  you  know,  sir,  that  all  you  have  uttered  has 
been  recorded,  and  that  you  have  spoken  these  words 
against  your  own  life?" 

We  were  then  delivered  to  the  guards,  fourteen  in 
number,  and  conducted  to  a  hamlet  near  Verona, 
where  were  the  head-quarters  of  Gen.  Sterling  Price. 
We  were  brought  into  the  presence  of  Gen.  Thomas 
Jordan,  Gen.  Beauregard's  chief  of  staif.  When  he 
read  the  letter  from  Gen.  Pfeiffer,  handed  him  by 
one  of  the  guards,  he  said,  looking  at  me  sternly  : 
"You,  sir,  are  charged  with  sedition." 


TUPELO.  103 

"  What  does  sedition  mean  ?  " 

"  It  means  enough  to  hang  you,  you  villainous 
tory.  Where  were  you  born." 

"In  New  Hartford,  near  Utica,  Oneida  county, 
New  York." 

"  Born  in  an  abolition  state,  you  doubly  deserve 
to  die,  and  no  mercy  or  pity  should  be  shown  you." 

"  As  to  the  guilt  attached  to  my  first  seeing  the 
light  in  the  Empire  state,  if  sin,  it  is  not  mine,  but 
the  sin  of  my  parents.  But  you  talk  as  a  veritable 
son  of  folly,  and  in  so  doing  you  reproach  God. 
Parents,  native  place,  and  clime.  All  appointed  were 
by  Him.  But  I  glory  in  my  native  state.  New 
York  has  never  done  anything  to  stain  her  fair 
escutcheon.  She  has  never  repudiated  her  just  debts. 
She  has  never  nullified  Federal  laws.  She  has  never 
attempted  to  secede  from  the  Union.  Permit  me, 
General,  to  ask  you  where  you  were  born  and  edu- 
cated?" 

"  I  was  born  in  Georgia,  and  graduated  from  the 
military  academy  at  West  Point,  in  your  native 
state." 

"New  York  may  have,  in  some  degree,  tarnished 
her  fair  fame  by  nourishing  in  her  bosom  and  allow- 
ing to  be  educated  within  her  borders,  a  few  traitors 
to  the  Federal  government,  but  it  is  some  palliation 
that  it  was  not  wittingly  done." 

"  Do  you  call  me  a  traitor  to  my  face  ?" 

"  I  make  no  personal  application,  but  allow  each 
one  for  himself  to  draw  the  inference  his  own  con- 
duct justifies." 


104  TUPELO. 

"  If  you  were  so  enamored  of  Xew  York,  why 
did  you  not  stay  there  or  return  when  Mississippi 
seceded,  or  when  an  act  was  passed  by  the  congress 
of  the  Confederate  States  of  America,  entitled  'An 
act  respecting  alien  enemies/  warning  and  requiring 
every  male  citizen  of  the  United  States,  fourteen 
years  old  and  upward,  to  depart  from  the  Confeder- 
ate States  of  America  within  forty  days  from  the  date 
of  the  president's  proclamation,  which  was  issued 
August  14,  1861,  this  proclamation  excepting  from 
its  operation  Delaware,  Maryland,  Kentucky,  Mis- 
souri, District  of  Columbia,  and  the  territories  of 
New  Mexico,  Arizona,  and  Indian  Territory." 

"I  regard  Mississippi  as  still  a  member  of  the 
Federal  Union,  and  the  act  of  secession  illegal  and 
unconstitutional,  and  therefore  void.  I  am  a  citizen 
of  the  United  States  of  America.  If  the  proclama- 
tion issued  August  14,  1861,  was  aimed  at  and  in- 
cluded the  Unionists,  we  were  recognized  as  citizens 
of  the  United  States  at  that  date,  many  months 
after  the  passage  of  the  secession  ordinance,  and  as 
we  have  as  often  as  it  has  been  offered,  firmly  refused 
to  take  the  oath  of  allegiance  to  the  Confederate 
States  of  America,  and  thereby  become  citizens  of  the 
Southern  Confederacy1,  we  are  still,  as  you  must 
acknowledge,  citizens  of  the  United  States  of  America. 
If  we  are  citizens  of  the  Confederate  States  of  Amer- 
ica, why  so  persistently  offer  us  the  oath  of  allegi- 
ance. Many  citizens  of  Germany,  Great  Britain 
and  Ireland,  and  other  foreign  countries,  have  long 


TUPELO.  105 

resided  in  our  country  and  have  never  taken  the  oath 
of  allegiance,  or  become  naturalized.  Why  not  allow 
us  to  remain  as  residents  within,  but  not  as  citizens 
of,  the  Confederate  States  of  America  ?  " 

"  By  your  own  statement  you  are  an  alien  enemy 
of  our  Confederacy,  and  have  no  rights  that  we,  are 
bound  to  respect.  You  clearly  come  within  the 
scope  of  the  law  and  proclamation.  My  plan  would 
have  been  to  suffer  all  alien  enemies  to  depart  in 
peace  who  were  willing  to  accept  the  offer,  and  hang 
those  who  desired  to  stay  and  do  us  all  the  harm 
they  could." 

"  The  Unionists  are  a  mighty  host.  In  forty  days 
they  could  not  dispose  of  their  property." 

"  No,  they  would  not  be  allowed  to  take  with  them 
any  of  their  property.  Our  congress  passed  a  law  to 
the  effect  that  the  property  of  all  in  the  South  who  have 
a  domicile  in  the  North  shall  escheat  to  the  Confederate 
States,  and  that  any  of  our  citizens  who  are  indebted 
to  citizens  of  the  United  States  shall,  upon  payment 
of  three-fourths  of  their  indebtedness  to  the  treasury 
of  the  Confederate  States  of  America,  be  liberated 
from  any  claim  upon  them  by  their  alien  creditors." 

"  Perfidy  personified  !  Now,  sir,  suppose  the  cause 
of  the  Union  should  triumph,  what  will  become 
of  those  like  you  who  have  taken  a  solemn  oath  to 
support  the  government  at  whose  expense  you  have 
been  educated,  and  then  in  violation  of  that  oath,  and 
forgetful  of  her  fostering  care,  as  base  ingrates  have 
rebelled  and  with  malice  prepense  are  endeavoring  to 


1 06  TUPELO. 

subvert  the  best  government  on  earth,  a  government 
which  has  never  in  person  or  property  inflicted  upon 
you  a  single  injury,  but  has  bestowed  many  favors, 
and  superabundant  blessings  ?  " 

"  I  will  never  ask  clemency  from  a  government  I 
detest.  There  is  no  danger  of  abolitionism  and 
puritanism  triumphing.  Should  they  do  so  I  would 
make  my  home  in  Brazil  or  Cuba.  I  will  hear  no 
more  of  your  detestable  palaver.  Jefferson  Davis,  in 
clemency  and  mercy  to  the  misguided,  issued  his 
proclamation ;  those  who  have  not  availed  themselves 
of  it  must  bear  the  terrible  and  just  consequences." 

"  My  friends  who  expressed  their  willingness  to 
accept  Jeff  Davis'  permission  to  leave,  are  either  dead 
or  languishing  in  gloomy  prisons.  It  was  only  a 
piece  of  treachery  on  the  part  of  your  honorable  pres- 
ident and  his  most  honorable  congress.  But  just  give 
me  a  pass  to  go  north  and  I  will  go  instauter." 

"  The  first  pass  you  will  get  will  be  a  free  ticket 
to  hell,  where  you  would  have  been  long  ago  if  the 
devil  had  his  due,  or  the  Confederate  officers  had 
done  their  duty." 

"  Thanks,  for  your  kind  offer  to  give  me  a  free 
ticket  to  the  infernal  regions.  I  was  not  aware  be- 
fore that  you  were  the  devil's  ticket  agent.  You 
have  me  in  your  power  and  may  take  my  life,  but 
you  cannot  destroy  the  government.  It  will  live 
long  after  you  and  I  are  dead.  But  what  right,  may 
I  ask,  have  you,  who  believe  in  state  sovereignty, 
you,  a  citizen  of  what  you  term  the  republic  of 


TUPELO.  107 

Georgia,  to  leave  your  own  nation,  and  crossing  the 
foreign  republic  of  Alabama,  enter  the  republic  of 
Mississippi,  and  interfere  with  me,  one  of  its  humble 
citizens,  who  has  never  breathed  the  air  of  your 
august  republic  to  do  you  or  any  of  the  citizens  of 
your  foreign  government  any  harm.  This  is  an  un- 
warranted and  unlawful  act,  and  evinces  a  high 
degree  of  presumption  upon  the  part  of  an  alien — a 
foreigner  who  has  not,  I  opine,  been  naturalized 
since  his  advent  into  our  nation,  the  independent, 
sovereign  republic  of  Mississippi." 

"  Did  you  oppose  the  secession  of  Mississippi  ?" 

"I  did,  but  I  now  favor  it.  I  trust  that  she  will 
soon  become  convinced  of  her  folly  and  secede  from 
this  confederation  and  resume  her  allegiance  to  the 
Federal  union." 

"  That  tongue  of  yours  will  not  long  give  utterance 
to  such  vile  and  treasonable  sentiments,  you  ought 
upon  your  capture  to  have  been  sent  to  hell  from  the 
lowest  lateral  limb  of  the  nearest  tree.  Corporal  of 
the  guard,  take  charge  of  the  prisoners." 

We  were  soon  under  way  to  Tupelo.  When  we 
reached  this  town  we  were  conducted  to  the  office  of 
the  provost  marshal.  We  underwent  an  examination 
here  in  presence  of  officers  of  high  rank,  Gen.  Brax- 
ton  Bragg,  Gen.  Hardee,  and  Gen.  Sterling  Price 
being  among  the  number.  Their  insignia  of  high 
rank,  their  dignified  bearing,  their  resolute  demeanor, 
their  searching  and  subtle  questions,  wisely  put  to 
elicit  the  desired  information  to  secure  our  condeni- 


108  TUPELO. 

nation,  awed  me  into  reticence.  I  perceived  that  niy 
life  hung  in  a  balance,  and  realized  as  never  before 
the  necessity  of  exercising  great  discretion  in  giving 
answers  so  as  not  to  provoke  these  officers  (who  had 
the  authority  to  order  my  immediate  execution),  and 
thus  avoid  the  doom  which  a  single  incautious  word 
would  doubtless  precipitate. 

I  told  General  Bragg,  in  reply  to  one  of  his  lead- 
ing questions,  evidently  designed  to  force  from  my 
lips  a  confession  of  my  guilt,  that  it  was  an  admitted 
principle  in  law,  that  no  one  is  required  to  criminate 
himself. 

General  Sterling  Price,  who  had  just  completed  a 
dispatch  which  he  handed  to  a  courier,  ordering  him 
to  convey  it  as  speedily  as  possible  to  some  subaltern 
in  Verona,  with  a  sharp  look  and  an  air  of  triumph 
said,  "  Your  answer,  by  implication,  admits  your 
guilt.  You  would,  it  seems,  shelter  yourself  behind 
a  provision  of  the  common  law,  which  is  suspended 
in  its  operation  by  martial  law,  which  supersedes 
civil  law  during  the  continuance  of  the  war.  Will 
you  take  the  oath  of  allegiance?" 

"  I  will  not  make  any  admission  nor  confession, 
nor  will  I  take  the  oath  of  allegiance." 

"  Well,"  said  General  Bragg,  "  we  will  await  the 
testimony.  From  the  tenor  of  this  paper  which  I 
hold  in  my  hands,  there  seems  to  be  an  abundance 
of  it.  We  have  too  long  been  lenient  with  this  dan- 
gerous class  in  our  midst.  I  am  inclined  to  punish 
them  hereafter  to  the  extent  of  my  authority  and  the 
demerit  of  their  treasonable  conduct." 


TUPELO.  109 

Clarke  trembled  like  an  aspen,  and  utterly  refused 
to  make  any  statement.  I  felt  greatly  depressed.  I 
was  hungry,  thirsty,  greatly  fatigued,  and  mentally 
disquieted,  knowing  that  my  wife  would  be  much 
distressed  because  of  my  ominous  absence,  the  cause 
of  which  she  could  only  conjecture. 

We  were  then  taken  into  the  presence  of  the  com- 
mander of  the  post.  The  provost  marshal's  name 
was  Paden — the  name  of  the  commander  was  Clare. 
Gen.  Thomas  Jordan  was  now  present,  as  well  as  the 
former  named  officers  of  distinguished  rank.  Gen- 
eral Jordan  made  a  statement.  I  feared  from  the 
interjected  utterances  of  Gen.  Bragg  that  we  would 
be  shot  or  hung  at  once.  He  was  very  angry,  and 
several  times  declared  that  we  deserved  immediate 
execution.  At  length,  in  apparently  great  excitement 
and  indignation,  he  called  the  officer  of  the  guard,  and 
I  feared  the  worst,  but  he  only  ordered  him  to  take 
us  to  the  dungeon.  We  were  speedily  committed  to 
prison.  When  we  entered,  two  men,  Capt.  Bruce 
and  Lieut.  Richard  Malone,  men  who  had  been 
elected  to  these  positions  by  their  fellow  prisoners, 
received  us  with  a  cordial  greeting.  We  told  them 
that  we  were  perishing  from  hunger  and  thirst. 
Bruce  and  Malone  set  two  of  the  prisoners  at  work  to 
prepare  something  for  us  to  eat.  Bruce,  addressing 
us,  said,  "Our  bill  of  fare  is  not  very  extensive  nor 
inviting.  We  have  no  coffee,  nor  molasses,  nor  sugar, 
nor  salt,  nor  beef,  nor  vegetables.  In  these  war 
times  we  must  not  be  epicures  nor  expect  the  luxuries 


110  TUPELO. 

of  life,  but  be  content  with  what  we  can  get,  just 
what  is  indispensable  in  prolonging  'existence.  We 
are  allowed  to  do  our  own  cooking,  but  that,  in  the 
kindness  of  heart  of  the  Confederate  authorities,  is 
accorded  as  a  favor,  an  indispensable  sanitary  regula- 
tion. We  have  but  little  exercise,  they  say,  and  ex- 
ercise being  conducive  to  health,  cooking  promotes 
that  object.  We  will  soon  have  ready  for  you  some 
corn-bread  and  a  little  meat.  The  meat  makes  up  in 
strength  and  odor  what  it  lacks  in  quantity,  and  the 
parasites  will  impart  a  freshness  to  it  so  that  you  will 
think  of  fresh  meat  while  chewing  it."  The  prison 
was  filthy  in  the  extreme,  and  full  of  vermin,  even 
our  food  was  infested.  No  brooms  were  furnished 
us,  and  we  could  not  sweep  the  floor.  No  beds  or 
bedding  were  provided,  and  we  were  compelled  to  sleep 
upon  the  floor  without  covering  and  nothing  but  the 
hard  planks  underneath  us.  When  night  came  a 
space  on  the  floor  was  assigned  to  Clarke  and  myself. 
We  lay  down  on  our  hard  bed  and  tried  to  sleep, 
but  our  slumbers  were  sadly  disquieted  by  the  cold 
and  filth  and  hardness  of  the  floor,  and  the  gray- 
backs,  with  which  our  clothing  was  already  infested. 
The  building  had  been  an  old  grocery.  Now  it  was 
metamorphosed  into  a  prison.  Where  we  lay  the 
floor  was  saturated  with  molasses.  When  I  tried  to 
rise  in  the  morning  I  could  not.  My  coat  was  ap- 
parently hermetically  fastened  to  the  floor.  Clarke 
was  in  the  same  condition.  He,  through  the  aid  of 
a  fellow  prisoner,  succeeded  in  freeing  himself  from 


TUPELO.  Ill 

the  adhesive  floor.  He  then  assisted  in  extricating 
me,  but  a  part  of  my  coat  remained  attached  to  my 
wooden  couch. 

The  crimes  charged  upon  the  prisoners  were  deser- 
tion, trading  with  the  Yankees,  adhesion  to  the  Fed- 
eral Government  or  Unionism,  enacting  the  spy,  re- 
fusing Confederate  bonds  and  money,  piloting  the 
Yankees,  the  utterance  of  treasonable  language,  etc. 
The  crime  of  the  negroes,  mulattoes,  quadroons,  and 
octoroons  was  endeavoring  to  escape  from  Dixie-land 
and  the  Iron  Furnace  of  slavery,  via  the  underground 
railroad.  These  remained  till  their  masters,  learning 
of  their  arrest,  came  for  and  released  them.  On  the 
evening  succeeding  our  incarceration  two  prison- 
ers had  been  led  out  and  shot.  I  soon  learned 
that  this  was  not  an  unusual  occurrence.  Nearly 
every  day  one  or  more  suffered  death  as  the  punish- 
ment of  their  patriotism.  Many  of  the  prisoners 
wore  heavy  fetters.  Some  were  handcuffed,  had  fet- 
ters on  their  ankles,  and  were  chained  to  bolts  in  the 
floor.  Often,  without  previous  warning,  the  guards 
came,  accompanied  by  an  officer  or  two,  usually  two 
officers,  and  marched  the  poor  prisoners  to  the  fatal 
spot  and  shot  them  to  death  or  ended  their  existence 
by  suspension  from  the  gallows.  The  two  prisoners 
who  were  shot  a  few  hours  after  we  entered  the  prison 
were  named  Jerome  B.  Poole  and  Calvin  Harbaugh. 
Being  Unionists,  they  refused  to  take  the  arms  offered 
them,  when  they  were  arrested  and  brought  in  as 
conscripts.  Poole  was  from  Brazella,  and  Harbaugh 


112  TUPELO. 

from  Shuqualak,  Noxubee  Co.,  Miss.  They  were 
then  suspended  by  the  thumbs  till  they  begged  the 
officers  to  order  them  to  be  shot,  as  they  preferred 
death  to  such  excruciating  torture.  After  the  endur- 
ance of  every  refinement  of  cruel  torture,  they  were  at 
length  brought  to  Tupelo,  tried,  and  condemned  to 
be  shot  to  death.  They  inferred  by  a  remark  made 
by  one  of  the  officers  who  brought  us  into  prison  that 
I  was  a  minister.  Poole  came  to  me  and  told  me 
that  they  would  be  shot  at  sunset,  and  wished  me  to 
explain  to  Harbaugh  more  fully  the  way  of  salvation. 
He  had  tried  to  do  so  in  a  feeble  way,  but  feared 
that  he  had  not  made  it  sufficiently  plain  to  the  mind 
of  his  friend.  Harbaugh  then  asked  me  what  he 
must  do  to  be  saved.  I  replied,  "Believe  on  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ  and  thou  shalt  be  saved.  You 
must  exercise  faith  in  Jesus  Christ.  Come  to  Jesus 
just  as  you  are,  not  waiting  to  cleanse  your  soul  from 
one  dark  blot.  Do  not  tarry  till  you  are  better. 
Away  from  Christ  you  will  only  become  more  guilty. 
Come  with  all  your  guilt  and  fear  oppressed,  and  say 
God  be  merciful  to  me  a  sinner.  Ask  him  to  receive 
you  and  forgive  you,  and  adopt  you  into  his  family 
and  make  you  one  of  his  dear  children  by  adopting 
love  and  grace  for  Christ's  sake." 

Harbaugh  asked,  "  What  is  faith  in  Jesus  Christ  ?  " 
"  Faith  in  Jesus  Christ  is  a  saving  grace  whereby 
we  receive  and  rest  upon  him   alone  for  salvation  as 
he  is  offered  to  us  in  the  gospel." 

"But  Poole  says  I  must  be  born  again — that  I 
must  have  a  change  of  heart." 


TUPELO.  113 

"The  bible  tells  us  that  whosoever  believeth  that 
Jesus  is  the  Christ,  is  born  of  God.  Ye  are  all  the 
children  of  God  by  faith  in  Jesus  Christ.  There- 
fore if  a  man  be  in  Christ  he  is  a  new  creature.  He 
is  born  again.  And  as  Moses  lifted  up  the  serpent 
in  the  wilderness,  even  so  must  the  Son  of  Man  be 
lifted  up,  that  whosoever  believeth  in  Him  should  not 
perish  but  have  eternal  life.  Whosoever  believeth 
then  has  eternal  life,  and  whosoever  has  eternal  life 
surely  sees  and  enters  the  kingdom  of  God,  so  that 
whosoever  believeth  is  born  again.  For  God  so 
loved  the  world  that  he  gave  his  only  begotten  Son, 
that  whosoever  believeth  in  Him  should  not  perish 
but  have  everlasting  life.  God  loved  and  gave,  we 
believe  and  have,  and  this  is  all  of  it  to  attain  life 
and  experience  the  new  birth." 

"  I  do  believe  on  Jesus  Christ  and  accept  him  as 
my  Savior.  I  have  never  been  baptized.  Will  you 
baptize  me  ?  " 

"  Yes,  I  will,  gladly." 

Capt.  Bruce  asked  one  of  the  guards  to  call  an  of- 
ficer. When  the  officer  came  he  sent  a  prisoner  un- 
der guard  for  water.  Harbaugh  now  told  me  that 
his  father  \vas  a  Baptist  minister,  and  that  he  had 
taught  him  that  the  true  scriptural  mode  of  baptism 
was  by  immersion.  An  officer  was  called  to  whom 
the  request  was  preferred  that  I  should  be  allowed  to 
immerse  the  prisoner  in  Old  Town  creek  near  by. 
Old  ToAvn  creek  is  a  tributary  of  the  Tombigbee 
river.  The  officer  returned  stating  that  the  military 
8 


114  TUPELO. 

authorities  absolutely  refused  to  grant  this  request, 
believing  it  a  ruse  to  secure  an  opportunity  to  effect 
an  escape.  Harbaugh  said  that  he  would  submit  to 
baptism  by  pouring  or  sprinkling,  though  he  did  not 
believe  it  to  be  the  scriptural  mode.  He  trusted  that 
the  good  Lord  would  look  upon  the  sincerity  of  his 
intentions  to  obey  his  command,  which  he  was  doing 
to  the  extent  of  his  ability  and  opportunity.  He 
did  not  think  the  Lord  would  require  an  impossi- 
bility. 

In  the  presence  of  the  prisoners  and  in  the  most 
solemn  manner  possible  (the  circumstances  enhanced 
the  solemnity),  the  ordinance  was  administered. 
Just  at  its  close  food  prepared  by  the  prisoners  was 
brought  and  offered  these  men.  They  took  it  in 
their  hands,  but  ere  it  was  tasted  the  sun  began  to 
dip  his  disk  beneath  the  western  horizon,  the 
dreaded  squad  appeared  before  the  door.  These  men, 
putting  away  the  food  untasted,  said,  "  We  go  to  eat 
bread  in  the  kingdom  of  God.  Pray  for  us  that  we 
may  have  grace  to  deport  ourselves  with  becoming 
dignity  and  propriety  in  our  last  moments.  Fare- 
well till  we  meet  before  the  great  white  throne. 
You  will  probably  come  soon,  for  our  foes  are  cruel 
as  the  grave." 

The  officers  unlocked  their  gyves,  led  them  out, 
and  we  saw  them  no  more.  A  half  dozen  captured 
slaves  seated  in  a  corner  of  the  prison,  led  by  a 
young  octoroon,  sang  some  hymns.  They  called 
.them  spiritual  songs.  The  following,  to  the  tune, 


TUPELO.  115 

Old  Folks   at   Home,   was  very   melodiously   and 
sweetly  rendered : 

'OUR  FATHER'S  HOME. 

Far  over  Jordan's  rolling  river, 

Eternal  day. 
There's  where  my  eyes  are  turning  ever, 

There's  where  the  angels  stay. 
All  through  this  vale  of  sin  and  sorrow, 

Patient  we  roam, 
Still  trusting  for  the  happy  morrow. 

Bright  in  our  Father's  home. 

Chorus. 
All  our  heavy  load  sits  lighter 

Every  storm  we  bide. 
Oh  !  brothers,  how  the  way  grows  brighter, 

Near  to  the  Savior's  side. 

Far  from  his  tender  arms  benighted, 

Dark  was  our  way. 
Still  every  precious  promise  lightened, 

Where  could  the  spirit  stay. 
Down  at  the  foot  of  Calvary's  mountain, 

Pilgrims  we  come, 
Oh,  may  we  through  that  crimson  fountain, 

Come  to  our  Father's  home. 
C  horus. 

One  lovely  form  among  the  sainted, 

Heaven  within, 
Stands  on  my  vision  ever  painted, 

Stretched  on  the  cross  for  sin. 
When  shall  we  hear  his  voice  commanding, 

Come,  higher,  come, 
When  in  his  golden  courts  be  standing, 

With  our  beloved  ones  at  home. 
Chorus. 


116  TUPELO. 

THE  SOUTHERN  SLAVE'S  SONG. 

Oh,  poor  negro,  he  will  go. 

Some  one  day. 
Over  the  water  and  the  snow, 

Far  away. 
Over  the  mountain  big  and  high, 

Some  one  day. 
To  that  country  in  the  sky, 

Far  away. 

Jesus,  Massa,  bring  me  home, 

Some  one  day. 
Then  I'll  live  with  the  Holy  One, 

Far  away. 
Sin  no  more  my  heart  make  sore, 

Some  one  day. 
I  praise  my  Jesus  evermore, 

Far  away. 

Our  privations  were  so  great  from  a  lack  of  goodr 
wholesome  food  and  pure  water — for  the  scanty  sup- 
ply of  water  allowed  us  was  tepid  and  foul — and 
from  a  want  of  beds,  cots,  couches,  or  something  bet- 
ter than  a  filthy  floor  whereon  to  sleep,  that  I  re- 
solved upon  an  attempt  to  escape  at  the  risk  of  my 
life.  I  felt  sure  that  I  could  not  long  survive  the 
horrors  of  this  prison-pen.  As  soon  as  my  arrest 
became  known  to  the  32d  Mississippi  regiment,  en- 
camped in  the  suburbs  of  Tupelo,  the  officers  called 
upon  me.  Col.  Mark  Lowrey,  Capt.  L.  A.  Lowrey, 
the  Col.'s  brother,  Major  Arnold,  and  Adjutant  Irion. 
This  regiment  was  raised  in  Tishomingo  Co.  One 
of  its  companies,  the  Zollicoffer  Avengers,  having 
been  raised  in  Rienzi,  where  I  had  been  for  years 


THE  PRISONER'S  BATH  IN  TUPELO. 


TUPELO.  117 

the  proprietor  and  president  of  the  Rienzi  Female 
College.  The  daughters  of  many  of  the  officers  of 
this  regiment  had  been  educated  at  this  college  dur- 
ing my  connection  with  it.  Owing  me  a  debt  of  grati- 
tude as  they  professed,  could  I  expect  less  than  the 
manifestation  of  deep  sympathy  with  me  in  my  sad 
condition — confined  in  a  gloomy  dungeon,  deprived 
of  the  comforts,  yea,  even  the  necessaries,  of  life,  and 
menaced  and  insulted  by  the  officers  in  whose  power 
I  was  ?  Some  ofthese  officers  had  publicly  expressed 
themselves  under  great  obligations  to  me  for  the 
thorough  moral,  mental,  and  physical  training  their 
daughters  had  received  while  under  my  care.  In 
proof  of  this  I  have  their  own  statements  published 
in  the  public  journals  of  the  day.  Whatever  may 
have  been  my  hopes,  they  were  doomed  to  disappoint- 
ment. These  summer  friends,  so  obsequious  in  my 
prosperity,  conversed  for  a  time  upon  indifferent  top- 
ics, never  alluding  to  my  condition,  and  I  did  not 
obtrude  it  upon  their  attention,  except  that  Capt. 
Lowrey,  looking  around  upon  the  prisoners  clanking 
their  chains  as  they  moved  uneasily,  trying  to  secure 
'a  less  painful  posture,  said  this  is  war — grim-visaged 
war  with  all  its  attendant  horrors.  When  they  left 
they  said,  "  We  will  call  soon  again."  I  replied, 
"Do  so,  gentlemen,  you  will  always  find  me  at  home," 
yet  I  was  hoping  they  would  not — my  mind  was 
bent  upon  and  occupied  with  the  high  resolve  of  es- 
caping or  dying  in  the  attempt,  and  even  then  I  was 
maturing  a  plan  to  compass  that  end. 


118  TUPELO. 

A  young  gentleman  and  his  sister,  by  virtue  of  a 
pass,  entered  our  prison.  They  conversed  with  the 
prisoners  freely.  An  officer  escorted  the  young  lady 
to  the  part  of  the  prison  which  I  occupied.  She  en- 
quired naively :  "  What  is  the  charge  against  this 
prisoner?"  The  officer  replied  that  I  was  an  avowed 
Unionist.  She  said  to  me,  "Are  you  a  merchant?" 
I  replied  that  I  was  a  minister. 

"Of  what  church?" 

"Of  the  Presbyterian  church." 

"We  are  Presbyterians,"  said  she. 

She  then  made  inquiries  about  Reverends  Wm.  A. 
Gray,  of  Ripley,  Jno.  H.  Miller,  of  Pontotoc,  Jas. 
Stafford,  of  Danville,  Dr.  E.  T.  Baird,  of  Crawfords- 
ville,  J.  N.  Carothers,  of  Okolona,  R.  Henderson,  of 
Danville,  and  others.  While  she  conversed  with  me 
the  officer  visited  another  part  of  the  prison.  She 
then  said  taisez  vous,  and  slipped  into  my  hand  a 
note.  She  gave  me  her  name  as  Miss  Daisy  Carson. 

The  note  was  written  with  a  pencil,  and  read : 
"  We  sympathize  deeply  with  you.  We  will  aid  you 
in  any  way  you  may  suggest.  -We  live  two  miles 
from  Tupelo  due  [the  cardinal  point  indi- 
cated \vas  so  defaced  that  it  was  illegible].  If  you 
could  reach  our  house  you  would  find  all  possible 
assistance.  We  are  true  blue.  Ambrose  Kavanaugh 
will  visit  the  prison  soon,  if  he  can  secure  a  pass. 
Ernest  Travis,  of  Verona,  informed  us  of  your  im- 
prisonment. I  met  you  at  Mr.  Price's,  in  Ripley, 
but  you  may  not  remember  me.  My  friend,  Miss 


TUPELO. 

Jane  Kendrick,  often  speaks  of  you.  Chew  and  swal- 
low this  as  soon  as  you  have  read  it.  I  take  a  great 
risk  in  this  matter,  but  I  am  of  a  romantic  turn  and 
love  adventure.  After  the  war  and  the  triumph  of 
the  government  it  will  be  pleasant  to  recount  our  ex- 
ploits in  behalf  of  the  suffering  patriots.  Taisez  vous, 

Votre  amie. 

^  "CHARLOTTE  COKDAY, 

"  My  nom  de  guerre. 

"  P.  S. — Prof.  Yarbrough  lodged  with  us  one 
night.  We  sincerely  hope  that  he  has  safely  reached 
his  destination  ere  this.  Do  not  become  dispirited, 
you  have  hosts  of  friends  and  are  doubtless  under  the 
kind  protecting  care  of  Jesus. 

"'Tis  late  before 
The  brave  despair. 

Stand 
Firm  for  your  country, 

It  were  a  noble  life, 
To  be  found  dead  embracing  her. 

There  is  strength, 

Deep  bedded  in  our  hearts,  of  which  we  reck 
But  little. 

"Very  respectfully, 

"  C.  C." 

A  prisoner  came  to  me  and  said,  "Chaplain,  I 
have  been  informed  that  I  will  be  shot  to-morrow, 
and  I  am  not  prepared  to  die." 

"  What  was  your  offense  ?  " 

"  I  was  a  Unionist — was  forced  into  the  army.  I 
deserted,  they  followed  me  with  blood-hounds.  When 


120  TUPELO. 

the  hounds  came  near  I  got  my  back  against  a  tree, 
and  with  a  knotty  club  of  pecan  wood  I  killed  six 
hounds.  The  cavalry  came  up  and  fired  upon  me.  I 
fell,  wounded  in  the  head  and  left  arm.  The  wounds 
were  not  very  severe.  They  brought  me  to  Tupelo, 
and  I  had  my  trial  yesterday  by  court-martial.  My 
captain,  who  just  now  left,  informed  me  that  on  to- 
morrow I  would  be  shot  as  a  deserter." 

"What  is  your  name?" 

"My  name  is  John  R.  Witherspoon.  I  was  born 
in  Sumter,  South  Carolina,  but  have  lived  in  Bolivar, 
Tennessee,  for  ten  years.  I  have  a  wife  and  seven 
children,  six  are  girls.  The  baby,  John  R.  Wither- 
spoon, Jr.,  is  my  only  boy.  My  oldest  daughter, 
Gertrude  Maud,  named  for  her  mother,  is  fifteen 
years  old.  She  is  a  good  scholar,  has  a  talent  for 
music  and  painting.  All  my  children  are  devotedly 
attached  to  their  parents.  What  will  become  of 
them  God  only  knows.  I  own  one  hundred  acres  of 
land  in  McNairy  Co.,  Tennessee.  My  wife's  mother 
gave  her  a  colored  girl.  I  am  a  poor  man  and  will 
leave  my  family  dependent.  I  am  a  member  of  the 
Presbyterian  church,  but  have  been  living  in  the  neg- 
lect of  duty  for  some  time,  and  now  I  must  die 
unprepared." 

"What  caused  your  neglect?" 

"  I  became  a  candidate  for  office,  and  as  it  was  cus- 
tomary to  treat  a  great  deal  when  canvassing  the  dis- 
trict, I  did  so.  I  formed  convivial  habits  that  were 
disastrous  to  devotional  duties.  I  became  negligent 


TUPELO.  121 

and  absented  myself  from  the  church.  My  wife  and 
family  are  faithful,  and  many  prayers  are  sent  up  to 
heaven  in  my  behalf.  O,  if  I  were  rescued  from  this 
impending  doom  I  would,  by  the  grace  of  God,  no 
longer  neglect  duty." 

I  pointed  him  as  well  as  I  could  to  the  Lamb  of 
God  that  taketh  away  the  sin  of  the  world.  We 
went  up  into  a  corner  of  the  prison  and  knelt  down. 
I  prayed  God  to  heal  his  back-sliding  and  restore  to 
him  the  joy  of  His  salvation,  then  asked  him  to  offer 
up  a  prayer  in  his  own  behalf.  He  did  so  in  lan- 
guage and  with  an  unction  that  surprised  me.  At 
the  close  he  earnestly  implored  God  to  spare  his  life 
for  the  sake  of  his  dear  family.  He  asked  to  be 
longer  spared  that  he  might  atone  in  some  degree  for 
his  past  remissness  in  duty  by  devoting  all  the  days 
of  his  allotted  time  to  faithful  service  in  his  heavenly 
father's  vineyard.  I  asked  him  if  he  entertained  any 
hope.  He  replied  that  he  did,  and  wished  he  could 
live  to  test  its  genuineness,  but  he -had  some  fear. 

And  now  came  still  evening  on.  Mr.  Witherspoon 
volunteered  to  go  for  water.  He  took  two  buckets, 
one  in  each  hand.  Two  guards  accompanied  him, 
one  on  each  side.  He  drew  the  water  and  started 
back.  It  was  now  dark ;  when  he  reached  a  clump 
of  bushes  he  dropped  one  bucket  and  raising  the  other 
he  dashed  it  in  the  faces  of  the  guards,  and  sprang 
for  the  bushes.  The  guards  speedily  brought  their 
muskets  to  bear,  fired  in  the  direction  of  the  fugitive, 
and  instead  of  pursuing  at  once,  ran  to  the  tents  of 


122  TUPELO. 

some  officers  and  gave  the  alarm.  The  whole  camp 
was  soon  intensely  excited  and  hundreds  joined  in 
the  pursuit.  A  cry  would  be  heard,  "  Here  he  goes." 
A  few  minutes  later  in  an  opposite  direction  the  same 
cry  would  be  taken  up.  Unionists  impressed  into 
the  service  did  this  to  contribute  to  the  escape  of  the 
prisoner.  He  made  good  his  escape,  and  succeeded 
after  some  time  in  getting  his  family  conveyed  to  the 
North,  through  the  kindness  of  Major  General  Hatch. 
An  account  of  his  escape  has  been  published.  He 
encountered  much  difficulty  in  avoiding  the  blood- 
hounds. At  one  time  he  heard  their  howling  in  his 
rear,  and  not  more  than  a  mile  distant.  He  came  to  a 
field  in  which  cattle  were  grazing.  He  sprang  upon 
the  back  of  an  ox,  and  using  a  goad  he  compelled 
the  ox  to  carry  him  across  the  field  in  a  direction  that 
broke  the  trail  and  baffled  pursuit. 

His  final  adventure,  his  last  peril  before  his  safety 
was  insured,  may  be  worth  narrating.  One  day  as 
he  lay  concealed  ii>a  ditch  he  heard  in  the  remote  dis- 
tance in  the  direction  whence  he  came  the  faint  howl- 
ing of  hounds.  The  sound  became  more  and  more 
distinct,  till  he  became  convinced  that  they  were  pur- 
suing him  and  had  found  his  track.  He  arose  from  his 
moist  bed,  and  hastened  onward  with  all  the  speed  his 
enfeebled  condition  would  permit.  He  had  not  gone 
far  till  he  descried  another  fugitive  a  short  distance 
in  advance.  He  called  upon  him  to  halt.  The  man 
obeyed.  He  gave  his  name  as  John  Denver.  The 
vigilantes  of  the  vendetta,  as  they  called  themselves, 


TUPELO.  123 

had  attacked  his  house  last  night.  He  had  defended 
himself.  They  fired  through  a  window,  wounded 
him  and  killed  his  little  daughter  Nellie.  He  rushed 
out,  slew  the  murderer  of  his  child,  and  wounded  two 
others.  They  beat  a  hasty  retreat.  He  had  lost  an 
ear,  and  had  a  flesh  wound  in  the  left  thigh  which 
made  travel  difficult.  He  was  on  his  way  to  Corinth 
to  get  assistance  from  the  Federal  commander,  so  that 
he  and  his  family  might  go  North.  The  howling  of 
the  hounds  indicated  to  him  that  the  vigilantes  had 
been  reinforced  and  were  in  pursuit  of  him.  As  rap- 
idly as  possible  these  panting  fugitives  made  their 
way  toward  Corinth.  The  hounds  gained  upon  them. 
Mr.  Denver  had  two  revolvers.  He  gave  his  com- 
panion one  of  them,  and  they  both  resolved  to  sell 
their  lives  as  dearly  as  possible.  The  hounds  were 
but  a  mile  distant,  when,  to  their  joy,  they  suddenly 
met  a  regiment  of  Federal  cavalry  on  a  scouting  ex- 
pedition. They  as  quickly  as  possible  explained  the 
situation  of  affairs.  The  colonel  ordered  the  regiment 
to  fall  back  out  of  sight.  He  ordered  a  company  to 
dismount  and  conceal  themselves  in  the  chaparral,  he 
sending  their  horses  back.  He  requested  Witherspoon 
and  Denver  to  climb  two  small  trees  and  await  their 
pursuers.  He  then  joined  the  company  in  ambush. 
When  the  pursuers  came  up  they  ordered  the  fugitives 
to  come  down  from  the  trees.  There  were  twenty  of 
the  vigilantes.  They  asked  Witherspoon  who  he 
was.  He  replied,  "  A  prisoner  from  Tupelo,  escap-  • 
ing  to  the  Federal  lines."  After  a  few  moments' 


124  TUPELO. 

consultation,  they  told  these  men  that  they  had  but 
five  minutes  to  live,  and  if  they  wished  to  say  their 
prayers  they  might  spend  the  time  in  that  way.  They 
had  but  one  rope,  which  they  had  brought  to  use  in 
hanging  Denver,  but  one  of  their  number  Burnished 
a  halter,  taking  it  from  his  horse's  neck.  Two  men 
approached,  threw  the  nooses  over  the  heads  of  their 
victims  and  adjusted  them.  They  then  selected  two 
lateral  limbs  projecting  from  a  tree  near  by,  threw 
the  ends  of  the  ropes  over  them  and  were  awaiting 
the  order  of  Jack  Clinkskales,  their  leader,  to  con- 
summate their  murderous  purpose,  when  a  volley  from 
the  ambushed  Federal  troopers  made  sixteen  of  them 
bite  the  dust.  The  four  survivors  rushed  to  their 
horses,  but  a  second  volley  caused  them  to  fall  bereft 
of  life.  The  bodies  were  scrutinized  closely  to  be  sure 
that  life  was  extinct.  They  were  then  piled  up  in 
the  chaparral,  and  the  hounds  killed.  Upon  the  re- 
turn of  the  regiment  a  few  hours  after  a  drove  of  wild 
hogs  were  found  feeding  upon  them.  Thus  perished 
a  band  of  desperadoes  not  fit  to  live,  less  fit  to  die. 
Mr.  Denver's  family  were  brought  into  Corinth  in 
an  ambulance,  and  soon  after  came  North  to  Evans- 
ville,  Indiana.  Mr.  Denver  enlisted  in  the  Federal 
army,  and  did  effective  service  in  his  country's  cause. 
Mr.  Witherspoon  also  enlisted  in  the  Federal  service. 
He  died  on  the  field  of  honor.  He  was  instantly 
killed  on  the  1st  day  of  the  battle  of  Gettysburg. 
Mrs.  Witherspoou  thus  wrote  me : 


TUPELO.  125 

"  My  dear  husband  often  spoke  of  you,  and  had 
hoped  to  meet  you  again,  but  Providence  otherwise 
ordered  it.  His  death  is  a  sad  bereavement  to  me 
and  the  dear  children.  But  God  makes  no  mistakes, 
and  I  bow  submissively  to  His  will.  He  has  prom- 
ised to  be  the  husband  of  the  widow  and  the  father 
of  the  fatherless.  I  trust  implicitly  in  the  promises 
of  a  covenant-keeping  God.  The  tone  of  my  dear 
husband's  piety  was  very  different  after  his  impris- 
onment in  Tupelo.  He  seemed  to  think  that  he  could 
not  do  too  much  to  show  his  gratitude  to  the  God 
who  in  his  providence  delivered  him  from  the  execu- 
tion of  the  death  sentence  already  pronounced  by  the 
court-martial,  and  which  only  lacked  a  few  hours  of 
fulfillment  at  the  time  of  his  escape.  Pray  for  me 
and  my  dear  children,  that  we  may  be  enabled  to 
bear  with  becoming  resignation  this  afflictive  dispen- 
sation of  Divine  Providence,  and  that  it  may  be  sanc- 
tified to  the  highest  and  holiest  interests  of  our  souls, 
work  in  us  the  peaceable  fruits  of  righteousness,  and 
while  looking  to  things  unseen  and  above  a  far  more 
exceeding  and  eternal  weight  of  glory.  We  will, 
Providence  permitting,  move  soou  to  Cincinnati. 
My  daughter  Gertrude  has  secured  a  position  as  teacher 
in  one  of  the  public  schools  of  that  city.  We  would 
be  happy  to  have  you  visit  us  at  your  earliest  con- 
venience. 

Your  friend, 

MRS.  G.  M.  WITHERSPOON. 


126  TUPELO. 


OLD    PILGARLIC. 

An  elderly  gentleman  was  ushered  into  prison  on 
the  morning  of  the  2d  of  July,  1862.  He  seemed 
anxious  to  convince  the  officer  who  accompanied  the 
guard  that  he  was  mistaken  in  regard  to  some 
abstruse  question.  As  soon  as  the  officer  left,  I  ap- 
proached the  prisoner,  and  after  gaining  his  confi- 
dence, drew  from  him  his  sad  history.  His  true 
name  was  Prof.  Lorimer  Vickroy  Yarbrough,  a  na- 
tive of  Fincastle,  Va.  He  had  resided  in  Austin, 
Texas,  and  New  Orleans,  La.  He  loved  the  old 
flag,  and  resolved  to  reach  the  North,  in  company 
with  his  son  Oscar.  By  some  means  suspicion  was 
aroused,  and  they  were  taken  from  the  steamboat  at 
Vicksburg,  Miss.,  and  thrown  into  prison,  where 
they  languished  for  months.  At  length,  through  the 
aid  of  Unionist  friends  they  escaped  from,  prison,  and 
in  due  time  from  the  city  of  Vicksburg. 

Prof.  Yarbrough  had  a  friend  named  Leroy 
Paden,  living  in  Hazelhurst,  Miss.,  upon  whom  he 
could  depend  for  aid.  He  also  held  a  note  overdue  for 
two  thousand  dollai's,  upon  a  gentleman  who  resided 
in  Brookhaven,  in  Lincoln  county,  Miss.  Could  he 
collect  the  money  due  on  this  note  it  would  assist  him 
materially  in  making  his  way  to  the  North.  On 
the  border  of  Copiah  county,  they  were  arrested  by  a 
committee  of  vigilantes,  and  thrown  into  an  extem- 
porized prison.  Here  they  were  immured  six  weeks 
and  fed  on  corn  bread  and  water.  At  length,  Oscar 


TUPELO.  127 

enlisted  in  a  company  bound  for  the  seat  of  war  in 
Virginia,  with  the  intention  of  deserting  upon  the 
first  favorable  opportunity.  His.  father  was  still  held 
a  prisoner.  Now  malarial  fever  of  a  malignant 
type  supervened.  During  its  progress  reason  left  ner 
throne,  but  a  naturally  vigorous  constitution  tri- 
umphed, and  the  prisoner  began  to  convalesce. 
Hearing  the  attendants  say  he  had  known  nothing 
for  three  weeks,  Prof.  Yarbrough  resolved  upon  a 
ruse  which  he  hoped  would  give  him  an  opportunity 
to  escape.  He  would,  by  the  use  of  incoherent  ex- 
pressions and  singular  conduct,  feign  madness.  In 
the  course  of  time,  health  returned,  and  the  military 
authorities  sent  him  to  Gen.  Beauregard  at  Tupelo. 
Gen.  Beauregard  believed  him  te  be  a  malingerer, 
and  sent  for  two  alienists  to  decide  upon  his  sanity. 
On  the  12th  of  June,  1862,  the  commission  to  deter- 
mine the  sanity  of  the  prisoner  convened.  A  num- 
ber of  officers  of  high  rank  were  present. 

I  will  give  the  account  of  the  examination  in 
Yarbrough's  language : 

"  I  was  brought  in  under  guard,  a  seat  furnished 
me,  and  the  farce  commenced. 

"  Gen.  Beauregard  enquired, '  What  is  your  name?' 

"  t  My  name,  Capting,  air  old  Pilgarlic.' 

"Gen.  B.— 'What does  that  mean?' 

" ( It  means  old  Baldhead.  You  see,  Capting,  I 
hain't  got  no  har  on  the  top  of  my  head.  I  was 
born  so,  and  when  some  growed  on,  a  nigger  girl 
spilled  some  rusma  on  my  crown,  and  I  hain't  hed 
no  har  sence.' 


128  TUPELO. 

"  Gen.  B. — '  Well,  old  Pilgarlic,  you  are  in  a 
bad  fix.' 

" '  Yes,  Capting,  and  ef  I  bed  as  soft  a  skull  ez 
sum  of  these  here  young  chaps,  I  could  raze  har  to 
sell.' 

"Gen.  B.— '  Where  do  you  live?' 

"  '  I  live  in  a  cabin  with  a  stick  chimly,  in  Ar- 
kansaw.' 

"  Gen.  B. — '  Does  your  chimney  draw  well  ?' 

"Yes,  Capting,  it  draws  the  'tention  of  every  fool 
that  passes  on  that  trail.' 

"  Gen.  B. — '  Are  you  a  married  man  ? ' 

"  '  Not  now,  1  ain't,  but  I  spect  to  be  before  long, 
fur  you  see,  Capting,  I  hev  the  refusal  of  mor'n  half 
a  dozen  widders.'  . 

"Gen.  B. — '  Where  did  you  say  you  were  from?' 

"'From  every  place  but  this,  an'  ef  you'll  j  is  send 
them  fellers  away  with  the  guns  an'  bayonets  I'll  be 
away  from  this  in  a  giffy,  that  is,  providin'  you  takes 
this  jewelry  off'n  my  legs  an'  wrists.' 

"  Gen.  B. — '  Pilgarlic,  what's  your  opinion  about 
this  war?' 

" '  I  thinks,  Capting,  that  no  Southerner  ort  to 
fight  agin  liberty,  nor  no  Yankee  agin  his  country.' 

"  Gen.  B.— '  Where's  your  son  ? ' 

"  'Well,  Capting,  I  duzzeut  know.  He  give  me 
the  slip.  I  spec  he  went  off  ter  the  Avar/ 

"Gen.  B. — 'Well,  sir,  your  son  attempted  to 
desert  to  the  enemy,  and  he  now  lies  in  prison  with 
a  ball  and  chain  attached  to  his  ankle.' 


TUPELO.  1 29 

"  I  then  commenced  to  sing  as  loudly  as  I  could : 

Spread  all  her  canvas  to  the  breeze, 

Set  every  threadbare  sail, 
And  give  her  to  the  god  of  storms, 

The  lightning  and  the  gale. 

"  The  General  ordered  me  to  cease.  I  heeded  him 
not,  and  sang : 

When  a  deed  is  done  for  freedom, 

Through  the  broad  earth's  aching  breast 
Runs  a  thrill  of  joy  prophetic,  trembling  on 

From  east  to  west ; 
And  the  slave,  where'er  he  cowers, 

Feels  the  soul  within  hi  in  climb 
To  the  awful  verge  of  manhood, 

As  the  energy  sublime, 
Of  a  century  bursts  full  blossomed 

On  the  stormy  stem  of  time. 

"The  alienists  felt  my  pulse  and  inserted  a  ther- 
mometer into  my  mouth,  which  I  crushed  betxveen* 
my  teeth.  I  then  sang,  or  rather  shouted  vocifer- 
ously : 

Oh  !  for  an  hour  of  youthful  joy, 
Give  me  back  my  twentieth  spring, 

I'd  rather  laugh  a  bright- haired  boy, 
Than  reign  a  gray-haired  king. 

"  At  this  j  uncture  Gen.  Beauregard  ordered  the 
guards  to  make  me  hush.  I  then  yelled,  for  it  could 
not  be  called  singing  : 

Prudent  on  the  council  train, 

Dauntless  on  the  battle  plain, 
Ready  at  the  country's  need 

For  her  glorious  cause  to  bleed. 


130  TUPELO. 

"  By  the  general's  order  the  guards  bound  and 
gagged  me.  The  alienists  differed  in  opinion  as  to  my 
sanity.  One  regarded  me  as  a  malingerer,  the  other 
declared  that  I  was  in  a  state  of  mental  aberration 
which  bid  fair  to  culminate  in  incurable  insanity.  I 
was  confined  under  guard  in  a  room  in  a  hotel  in  Tu- 
pelo till  yesterday,  when  I  was  incarcerated  in  this 
dungeon." 

Gen.  Beauregard  was  now  superseded  by  Gen. 
Braxton  Bragg.  Gen.  Bragg  had  been  but  a  short 
time  in  supreme  command  when  he  reviewed  the  testi- 
mony in  the  case  of  Prof.  Yarbrough.  On  the  lltli 
of  July,  1862,  the  order  came  for  his  execution.  He 
was  taken  from  our  prison  to  the  fatal  spot  where  so 
many  brave  Unionists  had  ended  their  lives.  His 
request  that  they  would  not  blindfold  him  was  granted. 
Jle  faced  the  muskets  with  an  unblanched  counte- 
nance. A  volley  rang  out  upon  the  evening  air,  and 
the  professor  fell  pierced  by  the  bullets  of  the  squad. 
When  his  struggles  ceased  and  he  was  pronounced 
dead  by  the  sergeant,  the  corpse  was  given  into  the 
custody  of  Billiugsly  and  Kaiser,  conscripts,  from 
near  Tallaloosa,  Miss.,  and  relatives,  they  claimed,  of 
the  professor.  They  bore  the  body  tenderly  to  a 
house  in  the  suburbs  of  Tupelo.  These  men  were 
Unionists,  and  had  been  forced  into  the  Confederate 
service.  This  family,  whose  name  was  Montreal, 
were  pronounced  Unionists.  When  the  putative 
corpse  was  laid  upon  the  couch  prepared  for  its  re- 
ception, an  examination  revealed  that  one  ball  had 


TUPELO.  131 

shattered  the  left  arm  so  that  amputation  would  have 
been  required  had  no  other  wound  caused  death.  A 
ball  had  glanced  from  the  ribs,  another  ball  had 
passed  through  his  clothing.  The  limbs  had  not  as- 
sumed rigidity,  and  it  was  evident  that  the  professor 
was  not  dead,  but  only  in  a  state  of  syncope.  From 
this  condition  he  slowly  rallied.  Billingsly  under- 
stood surgery,  and  with  the  aid  of  some  Unionist 
neighbors  Prof.  Yarbrough's  arm  was  amputated,  and 
upon  his  recovery,  which  was  rapid,  he  was  conducted 
by  night  from  one  Union  neighborhood  to  another, 
till  at  length  he  reached  La  Grange,  Tenn.,  which 
was  in  the  possession  of  the  Federal  troops.  Among 
the  first  to  visit  him  were  his  son  Oscar,  now  a  cap- 
tain of  a  company  in  a  Federal  regiment,  and  a 
nephew,  Charles  Barry,  formerly  of  D'Arbonne,  La., 
now  an  officer  in  the  Union  army,  Gen.  Beauregard's 
statement  in  regard  to  the  capture  of  Oscar  Yar- 
brough  being  false. 

The  following  letter  will  unfold  some  of  the  more 
thrilling  incidents  of  his  final  escape  : 
Rev.  John  H.  Aughey: 

DEAR  FRIEND — Having  learned  through  John 
H.  Stauton  that  you  are  chaplain  of  Gen.  Benjamin 
Grierson's  old  regiment,  the  6th  111.  cavalry,  I  send 
you  by  him  this  short  letter.  Please  inform  me  how 
you  escaped  from  Tupelo.  I  heard  Gen.  Bragg  tell 
Major  Grosvenor,  when  he  tried  to  say  something  in 
your  defense,  that  you  would  be  hanged  on  Tuesday 
of  the  next  week  as  sure  as  there  was  a  God  in  heaven. 


132  TUPELO. 

He  said  you  deserved  to  suffer  a  hundred  deaths  for 
your  disloyal  speeches  and  your  many  treasonable 
acts.  '  That  there  was  a  ghost  of  a  chance  for  you 
seemed  incredible,  chained  as  you  were,  and  so  vigi- 
lantly guarded,  far  away  from  the  Federal  lines  and 
surrounded  by  the  great  rebel  army.  Do  write  me 
at  once  and  tell  me  all  about  your  escape.  It  must 
have  been  well-nigh  miraculous.  The  first  intima- 
tion I  had  of  your  escape  was  an  extract  from  the 
New  York  Tribune  of  an  address  delivered  by  you 
in  Cooper  Institute  in  that  city,  from  which  I  learned 
that  you  had  succeeded  in  effecting  an  escape,  but  the 
particulars  were  not  given. 

After  I  was  able  to  travel  I  was  conducted  from 
one  neighborhood  to  another,  till  at  length  I  reached 
the  Federal  lines.  At  one  time  we  thought  it  best  to 
travel  in  daylight.  There  were  ten  of  us  in  company, 
eight  of  us  Unionists  endeavoring  to  reach  the  Fed- 
eral lines.  Two  were  guides,  Paden  Pickens  and 
Paul  Paden.  We  called  at  the  house  of  a  widow 
named  Mrs.  Violetta  Markle.  Her  husband  had 
been  tried  by  a  vigilance  committee  and  shot,  April 
19,  1861,  as  a  Unionist.  We  gave  her  the  counter- 
sign taisez  vous.  She  replied  ouit  oui,  all  right,  and 
then  after  preparing  a  meal  for  us,  she  informed  us 
that  we  were  near  a  rebel  camp,  and  advised  us 
to  take  the  route  traveled  by  the  guide,  Solomon 
Frierson,  who  had  called  at  her  house  yesterday  on 
his  return  from  a  trip  to  the  Federal  lines,  to  which 
he  had  conveyed  twenty  Unionists  from  Oktibbeha 


TUPELO.  133 

and  Pontotoc  counties.     After  leaving  Mrs.  Markle's, 
Pickens  climbed  a  tree  and  made  an  observation  of 
the  surrounding  country.     Two  rebel  encampments 
were  visible,  one  to  the  north-east,  another  to  the 
north-west.     He  thought  that  we  might  pass  between 
them  without  much  danger.     "VVe  started  on  our  way. 
At  one  point  it  became  necessary  to  travel  on  a  road 
a  short  distance  so  as  to  obviate  the  necessity  of  as- 
cending a  lofty  and  precipitous  hill.     We  had  just 
entered  upon  the  road  when  we  sa\v  a  company  of 
rebel  cavalry  about  half  a  mile  distant.     They  had 
just  appeared  on  the  summit  of  a  hill  behind  which 
they  had  been  concealed  from  view.      They  descried 
us,  and  putting  spurs  to  their  horses  came  rapidly 
toward  us.     We  gave  up  all  for  lost,  and  Avere  about 
to  break  for  the  woods,  when  Paden,  taking  ropes 
from  his  pockets,  told  Bryson  and  Birney  to  put 
their  hands  behind  them,  when  he  securely  bound 
them  Avith  the  ropes.    As  soon  as  the  cavalry  reached 
us  we  Avent  to  one  side  of  the  road  to  let  them  pass. 
The  captain,  whose  name  Avas   Pender,  Avished  to 
know  Avhat  this  cavalcade  meant.      Paden  replied 
that  they  had  in  charge  these  tAA'O  tories,  and  Avere 
taking  them  to  camp  to  surrender  them  to  the  general 
in  command,  that  they  might  get  their  just  deserts. 
"  Good,"  said  the  captain,  "  I'll  go  back  with  you. 
Sergeant  Buford,  take  command,  and  go  on ;  I'll  go 
back  to  camp  Avith  these  men." 

On  the  Avay  back  Paden  proposed  to  the  captain 
that  Ave  try  these  men  now,  and  if  they  are  found 


134  TUPELO. 

guilty  shoot  them.  Capt.  Pender  agreed  to  this  at 
once.  He  said  that  was  the  object  of  his  expedition 
at  this  time — to  quell  the  disaffected  traitors  to  the 
Confederacy.  He  declared  that  it  was  he  that  had 
ordered  the  shooting  of  ten  tory  devils  in  the  Pop- 
lar Springs  neighborhood,  led  by  one  Methuselah 
Knight,  as  arrant  a  tory  as  ever  lived.  We  then  left 
the  road,  and  coming  to  a  copse  of  dwarf  tamaracks, 
we  held  a  trial,  and  upon  their  own  confession  con- 
victed Bryson  and  Birney  of  treason  against  the 
Confederate  States  of  America.  Paden  and  Pickens 
asked  the  privilege  of  shooting  the  prisoners.  This 
Capt.  Pender  granted.  Upon  the  pretense  that  they 
had  no  pistols,  Pender  drew  his  pistols  from  their 
holsters  and  presented  them  to  Paden.  Paden 
handed  one  to  Pickens.  The  prisoners  were  then 
bound  to  two  saplings.  Paden  asked  Pender  to 
give  the  command.  The  captain  told  the  prisoners 
that,  in  compassion  to  their  souls,  he  would  grant 
them  five  minutes  to  make  their  peace  with  God. 

Birney  said,  "  Captain,  we  have  long  ago  made  our 
peace  with  our  God.  Have  you  done  the  same  ?  " 
Pender  replied,  "  I  have  killed  Union  traitors 
enough  to  save  me." 

He  then  gave  the  command,  "  Make  ready,  TAKE 
AIM,  FIRE.  Pickens  and  Paden  fired  simultane- 
ously, but  not  at  the  prisoners.  Pender  fell  pierced 
by  two  balls,  and  in  five  minutes  his  soul  had  taken 
its  flight  to  the  bar  of  God.  As  Pender  fell  he  said, 
"  D — n  the  traitors,"  and  without  uttering  another 


TUPELO.  135 

word  his  spirit  left  its  clay  tenement.  It  became 
necessary  to  kill  the  horse,  as  his  presence  would  en- 
danger our  safety.  Bryson  and  Birney  were  un- 
bound, and  we  pursued  our  journey  rejoicing,  leav- 
ing Pender  where  he  fell.  Without  further  incident 
of  importance  we  reached  the  Union  lines,  and 
received  a  cordial  welcome. 

Let  me  hear  from  you  at  your  very  earliest  con- 
venience. 

Yours  truly, 

L.  V.  YARBROUGH, 
Alias,  OLD  PILGARLIC. 

Having  determined  to  attempt  an  escape  at  all 
hazards,  I  thought  it  would  be  well  to  secure  a 
companion  who  would  undertake  with  me  the  peril- 
ous adventure.  Two  are  better  than  one.  After 
due  deliberation,  I  selected  Richard  Malone,  his 
piercing  eye  and  his  intellectual  physiognomy  led  me 
to  believe  that  if  he  should  consent  to  make  the 
attempt  with  me,  our  prospect  for  success  would  be 
enhanced.  Upon  broaching  the  matter  to  him,  he 
drew  from  his  pocket  a  paper  containing  the  proper 
route  to  pursue,  mapped  out  clearly.  A.  Unionist 
friend  had  covertly  conveyed  it  to  him.  Gray  AVal- 
ton  was  his  name.  For  some  days  Malone  had 
resolved  to  escape  or  perish  in  the  attempt.  With 
all  the  ardor  imparted  by  a  new  born  hope,  we  en- 
tered upon  the  formation  of  a  plan  of  escape.  We 
went  out  now  upon  every  possible  pretext.  We  no 
longer  tried  to  avoid  the  guard  that  came  to  obtain 


136  TUPELO. 

detachments  of  prisoners  to  do  servile  labor-  We 
were  the  first  to  present  ourselves,  our  object  being  to 
reconnoitre,  in  order  to  learn  where  guards  were 
stationed,  so  as  to  determine  the  best  method  of  escap- 
ing through  the  town  after  leaving  the  prison,  and 
of  passing  through  the  great  army  that  environed  us. 
During  the  day  we  made  these  observations,  that  two 
guards  stationed  on  the  western  enclosure  attached  to 
the  prison  were  very  communicative  and  very  ver- 
dant, that  after  relief  they  would  come  on  duty 
again  at  midnight,  that  there  was  a  building  on  the 
south  side  of  the  prison,  sixteen  feet  distant  from  it, 
which  extended  beyond  our  prison,  and  beyond  the 
enclosure  in  the  rear  of  the  prison  in  which  the 
guards  were  stationed.  •  We  learned  that  the  moon 
would  set  about  11  P.M.,  and  we  ascertained  that 
there  were  no  guards  upon  the  south  side  of  the 
prison  during  the  day.  I  learned  this  by  vol- 
unteering to  go  for  water.  Two  guards  accom- 
panied me ;  as  I  neared  the  prison,  having  drawn 
the  soft  hat  I  was  wearing  down  pretty  well,  I 
peered  from  under  it  and  scanned  the  surroundings  as 
closely  as  possible,  observing  where  every  vidette 
was  stationed,  and  gaining  by  close  scrutiny  all  possi- 
ble information.  We  learned  that  one  of  the  planks 
in  the  floor  was  in  a  condition  to  be  readily  removed. 
The  building  was  placed  on  blocks,  and  the  planks 
were  nailed  on  perpendicularly,  and  the  ragged  edges 
did  not  in  some  places  reach  the  ground.  Apertures 
were  thus  formed  by  which  we  hoped,  if  once  under 


TUPELO.  137 

the  prison,  egress  might  be  secured.  We  then  hoped 
to  reach  the  building  which  was  about  sixteen  feet 
distant,  on  the  south  side,  and  by  crawling  along 
close  to  it  pass  the  enclosure  on  the  western  end  of 
our  prison  in  which  the  guards  were  stationed. 
Trover  Anderson,  and  De' Gruruniond,  Federal 
prisoners,  assisted  by  Hernion  Bonar,  Prince  Shelby, 
and  Gaither  Breckenridge,  Unionists,  managed  to 
raise  the  plank  from  the  floor  and  replace  it  loosely, 
so  that  it  could  be  removed  at  the  opportune  moment. 
Benjamin  Clarke  came  to  me  and  said,  "  Take  me 
along  with  you."  I  referred  him  to  Malone,  who  re- 
fused. Clarke  came  back,  and  told  me  that  Malone 
would  not  consent,  and  begged  me  to  try  to  prevail 
upon  Malone  to  agree  to  take  him  with  us.  Said 
he,  "  I  have  been  tried  and  condemned,  and  should  I 
be  shot  my  poor  wife  and  eight  children  will  perish." 
I  went  to  Malone  and  asked  him  to  consent  to  take 
Clarke  along.  Said  he,  "  Xo,  Clarke  has  not  nerve 
sufficient  to  face  the  glittering  bayonet,  which  we 
may  have  to  do,  nor  has  he  the  tact  necessary  to  make 
his  way  through  this  great  army  without  detection. 
He  would  do  something  that  would  betray  us,  not 
intentionally,  of  course."  As  Malone  was  inexorable, 
I  told  Clarke  that  he  and  Robinson  must  come  half 
an  hour  after  us.  This  they  failed  to  do.  They 
dared  not  make  the  attempt,  which  was  indeed  peril- 
ous. This  was  July  4,  1862.  We  improvised  a 
4th  of  July  celebration.  I  was  the  orator  of  the 
day,  and  delivered  a  eulogy  of  our  patriot  fathers 


138  TUPELO. 

who  had  fought  and  bled  to  secure  our  country's 
liberty. 

We  may  say  of  these  noble  men  as  was  said  of  the 
cathedral  builder :  / 

The  hand  that  rounded  Peter's  dome, 
And  groined  the  aisles  of  Ancient  Eome, 
Wrought  with  a  sad  sincerity; 
Himself  from  God  he  could  not  free, 
He  builded  better  than  he  knew — 
The  conscious  stone  to  beauty  grew. 

Yes,  they  builded  better  than  they  knew.  They 
erected  a  temple  of  freedom  which  we  trust  shall  be 
lasting  as  time.  No  weapon  formed  against  it  shall 
prosper.  In  the  providence  of  God  no  parricidal 
hand  shall  be  permitted  to  succeed  in  overthrowing 
this  grand  edifice,  this  glorious  temple  of  our  coun- 
try's liberties.  Let  us  endeavor  to  be  worthy  sons  of 
these  noble  sires,  imitate  their  virtues,  prize  the  herit- 
age bequeathed  to  us  by  them,  and  preserve  it  unim- 
paired as  a  blessing  to  our  posterity  forever.  , 

Breathes  there  a  man  with  soul  so  dead, 
Who  never  to  himself  hath  said, 
This  is  my  own,  my  native  laud, 
Whose  heart  hath  ne'er  within  him  burned; 
As  home  his  footsteps  he  has  turned 
From  wandering  on  a  foreign  strand  ? 
If  such  there  be,  go  mark  him  well, 
For  him  no  minstrel  raptures  swell. 
High  though  his  titles,  proud  his  name, 
Boundless  his  wealth  as  wish  can  claim; 
Despite  these  titles,  power,  and  pelf, 
The  wretch  concentered  all  in  self, 


TUPELO.  139 

Living,  shall  forfeit  fair  renown, 

And  doubly  dying  shall  go  down 

To  the  vile  dust  from  whence  he  sprung, 

Unwept,  unhcmored,  and  unsung. 

Perish  the  hand  that  with  parricidal  intent  would 
apply  the  torch  of  the  incendiary  to  the  fair  fabric 
erected  at  so  great  a  cost  by  our  revered  ancestors. 

Ah,  never  shall  the  land  forget 

How  gushed  the  life-blood  of  the  brave, 

Gushed  warm  with  hope  and  courage  yet 
Upon  the  soil  they  fought  to  save. 

Oh,  is  there  not  some  chosen  curse, 
Some  hidden  thunder  in  the  store  of  heaven 
Red  with  uncommon  wrath  to  blast  the  man 
Who  would  compass  our  loved  country's  ruin  ? 

A  dishonored  grave  and  a  hell  of  torment  will  be 
the  final  fate  of  every  traitor,  and  while  he  lives 
remorse  will  haunt  the  impious  wretch. 

Not  sharp  revenge,  nor  hell  itself  can  find 
A  fiercer  torment  than  a  guilty  mind, 
Which,  day  and  night,  doth  dreadfully  accuse, 
Condemns  the  wretch,  and  still  the  charge  renews. 

Such  be  the  doom  of  all  traitors.  May  Jehovah, 
God  of  nations,  blast  all  treasonable  designs  against 
the  best  of  governments,  a  government  founded  upon 
justice  and  equity,  and  promotive  of  all  the  holiest 
interests  dear  to  the  heart  of  every  true  patriot,  anct 
philanthropist,  and  only  subversive  of  despotic  prin- 
ciples which  would  impair  human  rights  and  over- 
throw constitutional  liberty. 


140  TUPELO. 

Yes,  my  native  land,  I  love  thee, 
All  thy  scenes  I  love  full  well. — 
Land  of  every  land  the  pride. 

It  is  your  high  prerogative  and  mine  to  be  able  to 
say,  I  am  an  American  citizen. 

Our  glorious  government  will  live  and  flourish  and 
dispense  innumerable  blessings  broadcast  over  a  smil- 
ing land  long  after  treason  has  been  consigned  to  an ' 
infamous  and  gory  grave. 

We  may  not  live  to  see  this  prediction  verified,  but 
" It  is  sweet  to  die  for  our  country," 

and  to  know  that  although  we  perish  as  patriot  mar- 
tyrs, our  children  and  the  millions  yet  unborn  who 
are  to  come  into  the  possession  of  this  glorious  herit- 
age, will  enjoy  during  the  coming  cycles  of  the  future 
the  perennial  sweets  of  liberty,  equality,  and  frater- 
nity. May  God  speed  the  day  when  the  enemies  of 
our  Lord  and  of  our  country's  liberty  shall  be  over- 
thrown. 

I  see  officers  approaching  who  may  not  be  able  to 
appreciate  and  approve  sentiments  such  as  I  am 
enunciating.  Permit  me,  therefore,  to  close  some- 
what abruptly  with  this  sentiment : 

Our  Banner:     Now  wave  in  strength  its  pennons  fair, 

In  peerless  grandeur  round  the  world, 
Proclaiming  far  that  freemen  dare 

Defend  the  right  with  flag  unfurled. 

We  then  sang  with  a  will, 

My  country,  'tis  of  thee, 
Sweet  land  of  liberty,  etc. 


TUPELO.  141 

J.  A.  H.  Spear,  of  Ellisville,  111.,  or  Troyer  An- 
derson, sang  a  patriotic  song.  I  remember  but  one 
couplet : 

We've  lofty  hills  and  lovely  vales, 
And  streams  that  roll  to  either  sea. 

It  was  well  received.  Some  of  the  Federal  pris- 
oners started, 

Rally  round  the  flag,  boys, 

Rally  once  again, 

Shouting  the  battle  cry  of  freedom. 

The  officers  who  had  entered,  now  in  great  anger 
forbade  any  further  patriotic  demonstration.  They 
carried  off  our  flag  which  we  had  improvised,  and 
told  the  guards  to  inform  them  if  we  disobeyed  their 
orders. 

At  four  o'clock  P.M.,  our  plan  was  fully  matured. 
At  midnight  (the  moon  having  set  and  the  verdant 
guards  being  on  duty)  we  would  raise  the  plank,  get 
under  the  floor,  and,  myself  in  advance,  make  our 
exit  through  one  of  the  apertures  upon  the  south  side 
of  the  jail,  then  crawl  to  the  building  some  ixteen 
feet  distant,  and  thence  continue  crawling  close  to  the 
building  till  we  had  passed  the  sentinels  in  the 'west- 
ern enclosure,  then  rise  and  make  our  way  as 
cautiously  as  possible  to  a  point  in  a  corn-field  in 
view  from  the  prison,  and  where  was  a  garment  sus- 
pended from  a  fence  post.  The  one  who  arrived 
first  must  await  the  other.  A  signal  was  agreed 
upon  to  prevent  mistake.  The  signal  was  to  place 
the  arms  akimbo.  The  countersign,  taisez  vous,  the 


142  TUPELO. 

response,  oui,  oui,  (pro.)  we,  we.  If  the  guards  or- 
dered us  to  halt  we  resolved  to  risk  their  fire,  for  our 
firm  resolve  was  liberty  or  death. 

As  soon  as  the  prisoners  learned  that  I  was  a  minis- 
ter, they  with  entire  unanimity  and  great  cordiality 
chose  me  chaplain,  and  I  preached  to  them  every  even- 
ing as  long  as  I  remained  with  them.  Xight  drew  on 
apace.  Thick  darkness  settled  upon  prison,  camp,  and 
town.  Murky  clouds  o'erspread  the  sky  and  obscured 
the  stars  as  we  partook  of  our  scanty  allowance  of 
corn-bread  and  water — foul,  tepid  water.  I  took  this 
meal  with  the  Federal  prisoners  who  were  tempora- 
rily incarcerated  till  after  some  formalities  they  would 
be  sent  to  prison  at  Camp  Oglethorpe,  Macon, 
Ga.,  and  other  places.  Their  names  were  Jesse  L. 
McHatton,  Co.  H,  59th  111.  Yols.,  J.  A.  H.  Spear, 
Ellisville,  Fulton  Co.,  111.,  Brocket  and  Benedict, 
35th  Reg.  111.  Vol.  Inft.,  Sullivan,  Howell  Trog- 
don,  of  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  M.  Troyer  Anderson,  Fos- 
ter, Lowery,  and  a  German,  who  went  by  the  name 
of  Charlie,  who  wore  a  saddler's  knife  sewed  on  his 
coat  sleeve,  "Win.  Soper,  Co.  D,  22d  Reg.  Ind.  Vol. 
Inft.,  and  DeGruniniond,  of  Galesburg,  111.  The 
breeches  I  wore  were  light  colored.  McHatton  ex- 
changed a  pair  of  brown  colored  for  mine,  so  that  I 
might  better  evade  the  guards. 

About  ten  o'clock  Malone  raised  the  plank,  and  I 
went  under  to  reconnoitre.  I  remained  under  the 
floor  about  ten  minutes,  having  learned  that  there 
Were  no  guards  patroling  the  south  side  of  the 


TUPELO.  1 43 

prison,  as  we  feared  might  be  the  case  after  night.  I 
had  learned  by  observation,  when  returning  with 
water,  that  there  were  none  during  the  day.  Just  at 
the  noon  of  night  we  heard  the  relief  called.  Malone 
and  I  tried  to  find  the  prisoners  who  were  to  raise 
the  plank,  but  not  being  able  readily  to  do  so  we 
raised  the  plank  ourselves,  and  both  succeeded  in 
getting  under  without  much  difficulty.  Malone  hav- 
ing gotten  under  first  was  compelled,  contrary  to  our 
arrangements,  to  take  the  lead.  As  he  was  passing 
through  the  aperture  he  made  considerable  noise.  I 
patted  him  upon  the  back  to  indicate  silence  and 
warn  him  of  danger.  He  reached  back,  gave  my 
hand  a  warm  pressure  to  assure  me  that  all  was  right, 
and  passed  out.  I  followed.  I  heard  Malone  in 
advance  of  me,  but  it  was  so  dark  that  I  could  not 
see  him.  As  I  reached  the  point  opposite  the  senti- 
nels in  the  rear,  one  of  them,  apparently  on  the 
alert,  and  startled  by  the  noise,  came  to  the  side  of 
the  enclosure  nearest  me,  and  leaning  over  peered 
into  the  darkness.  He  remained  a  considerable  time 
in  that  inquisitive  attitude.  I  remained  very  quiet. 
At  length  he  walked  to  the  door  and  looked  into  the 
prison.  I  moved  on  as  noiselessly  as  possible,  pass- 
ing all  the  sentinels.  It  required  great  presence  of 
mind  and  vigilant  care  to  pass  them  without  at- 
tracting attention  or  exciting  their  suspicion.  I 
reached  the  pre-arranged  place  of  meeting,  but  Ma- 
lone was  nowhere  to  be  found.  I  gave  the  pre- 
concerted signals,  but  they  elicited  no  response. 


144  TUPELO. 

Some  mistake  had  been  made,  and  after  waiting  a 
long  time  I  was  compelled  to  set  out  alone.  Not 
being  able  to  rejoin  my  friend,  I  regarded  as  a  great 
misfortune.  He  had  the  chart  to  guide  us,  and  after 
reaching  a  point  fifteen  miles  north-west  of  Tupelo 
he  would  be  familiar  with  the  topography  and 
geography  of  the  country.  I  had  frequently  passed 
through  Tupelo  in  the  cars,  but  knew  but  little  of 
the  country  off  the  railroad  through  which  I  must 
pass.  Somewhat  depressed  in  spirits  by  the  loss  of 
my  companion  de  voyage,  I  resolved  to  reach  my 
family  by  the  safest  and  most  practicable  route.  I 
feared  the  hounds  and  the  cavalry  which  would 
scour  the  country  in  search  of  us  as  soon  as  our  es- 
cape became  known.  I  was  still  in  the  very  midst  of 
the  great  rebel  army,  and  found  great  difficulty  in 
avoiding  the  videttes  that  seemed  to  be  well-nigh 
omnipresent.  I  soon  found  that  day  was  brighten- 
ing in  the  east.  I  felt  glad  to  think  that  I  was  ' 
no  longer  in  the  gloomy  prison.  I  could  say  with 
the  Psalmist,  "  I  am  escaped  as  a  bird  out  of  the 
snare  of  the  fowler.  The  snare  is  broken  and 
I  am  escaped.  God  hath  delivered  me  out  of  the 
hand  of  my  enemy."  I  looked  to  the  east,  and  lo! 
the  orb  of  day  was  peering  above  the  horizon.  I 
must  find  a  place  to  hide.  I  speedily  discovered  a 
small  but  dense  thicket  amid  a  grove  of  tupelo  trees. 
This  grove  gave  name  to  the  town  of  Tupelo.  I 
secreted  myself  as  covertly  as  possible.  A  tree  with 
low  branches  was  near;  I  would  ascend  this  if  the 


TUPELO.  145 

hounds  should  discover  my  track.  After  the  excite- 
ment and  consequent  mental  strain,  I  tried  to  woo 
tired  nature's  sweet  restorer,  balmy  sleep,  and  had 
partially  succeeded,  when  the  noise  and  horrid  din  of 
the  great  encampment  sounding  in  my  ears  startled 
me,  and  drove  far  hence  the  winged  Somnus.  Soon 
many  soldiers  passed  and  repassed  me.  I  was  still 
in  the  very  midst  of  the  great  army,  and  liable  to 
discovery  at  any  moment.  I  broke  off  twigs  and 
covered  myself  with  leaves  and  branches  of  the  un- 
derbrush surrounding  me.  I  was  within  thirty 
yards  of  Old  Town  creek,  an  affluent  of  the  Tombig- 
bee  river,  or  rather  one  of  the  creeks  forming  the 
Tombigbee.  The  soldiers  had  found  a  suitable  pool 
for  bathing,  and  they  passed  and  repassed  all  day ; 
on  one  side  their  path  or  trail  ran  only  six  or  eight 
feet  distant,  on  the  other  the  path  was  but  fifteen  or 
twenty  feet  distant  from  my  lair.  About  nine  o'clock 
A.M.  I  heard  the  booming  of  cannon  all  around 
me,  proceeding  from  the  various  encampments.  The 
passing  soldiers,  whose  lowest  tones  were  distinctly 
audible,  said  that  the  artillerists  were  firing  salutes  in 
honor  of  a  great  victory  obtained  over  General  Mc- 
Clellan  in  the  peninsula  of  Virginia.  According  to 
their  statements,  his  whole  army,  after  a  succession 
of  losses  during  eight  days'  continuous  fighting,  had 
been  completely  annihilated  at  a  place  named  Mal- 
vern,  and  they  were  quite  sure  that  Stonewall  Jack- 
son would  be  in  Washington  City  within  a  week. 
This  sad  news  depressed  me  more  by  far  than  the 
10 


146  TUPELO. 

thought  of  my  own  condition.  The  hours  dragged 
heavily.  At  one  time  two  soldiers  came  within  two 
feet  of  me  in  search  of  blackberries.  I  feared  that 
one  of  them  would  tread  upon  my  feet  as  they  passed 
out  of  the  copse,  but  he  did  not,  although  he  must 
have  missed  stepping  upon  my  feet  by  but  a  few 
inches.  About  noon,  judging  from  the  vertical  rays 
of  the  sun,  two  soldiers  sat  down  at  the  point  closest 
to  me  on  the  nearer  path.  They  were  almost  in  jux- 
taposition. Their  lowest  tones  were  frightfully 
audible.  One  of  them  informed  his  companion  that 
he  had  been  in  Tupelo  in  the  morning,  and  that  two 
prisoners  had  broke  jail.  They  were  Parson  Aughey 
and  Dick  Malone.  He  said  a  big  reward  was  offered 
fur  bringin'  'em  in  dead  or  alive.  He  said :  "  I  seed 
the  cavalry  start  after  'em  with  two  all-fired  big 
packs  of  dogs.  One  pack  went  this  away,  and  the 
other  that  away.  [I  supposed  he  indicated  the  direc- 
tions by  pointing.]  I'd  give  my  wages  fur  six 
month  to  ketch  ary  one  of  'em.  Think  uv  the  honor 
uv  it,  Jim,  to  ketch  'em  afore  the  dogs  and  cavalry 
did.  Ole  Bragg  wouldn't  stop  at  a  cool  thousand  or 
two.  Ole  Jurdan  he  were  bad  flustered.  He  was 
a  cavortin'  aroun'  hollerin'  out  his  orders  at  the  top 
uv  his  voice,  jest  a  niakin'  the  air  blue  with  his 
cussin'.  I  wouldn't  be  in  them  prison  gards'  place 
for  no  money.  I  seed  them  officers  put  the  irons  on 
'em,  an'  they  took  'em  in  ter  that  same  jail  thet  the 
tories  lied  got  out  on." 

The  other  replied,  "It  aint  no  use,  Jack  Simeral, 


TUPELO.  147 

fur  you  to  talk  about  them  fellers.  I'll  bet  they's 
sharp  an'  they's  safe  a  hidin'  with  sum  of  thar  tory 
friends  hours  ag6.  I'll  bet  they  aint  two  miles  from 
town.  Jack,  you  know  the  Clines  an'  Kaverners, 
they'd  die  ter  save  a  Union  man.  They  hid  Jake 
Broome  a  month,  an'  your  own  cousin  Tillie  Jack, 
she  carried  him  grub  till  the  Union  fellers  got  the 
thing  fixt  up  an'  sent  him  off  ter  the  Yankees — Bill 
Hawkins  a  giden'  a  squad  of  em'. 

"Well,"  said  the  other,  "them  dogs'll  kuni  up 
with  'em  if  they  hev  haf  a  chance,  an'  they'll  never 
make  it  to  the  Yankee  lines,  sure  as  my  name's  Jim 
Billick." 

Soon  one  of  them  arose  and  struck  a  bush  almost 
above  my  head.  I  thought  that  he  had  discovered 
me  and  was  about  to  rise  and  run,  when  I  heard  him 
say  to  his  comrade,  "Bill,  that  was  the  biggest  snake 
I've  seen  lately,  a  regular  water  moccasin,  but  it  got 
off  inter  the  bushes.  I  reckin'  it's  makin'  fur  the 
creek,  kase  they  don't  git  far  from  water." 

I  began  to  feel  somewhat  uncomfortably  situated 
when  I  learned  that  I  was  in  close  proximity  to  a 
large  and  poisonous  snake,  but  I  would  have  much 
preferred  meeting  an  anaconda,  boa  constrictor,  or 
even  the  deadly  cobra  di  capello,  rather  than  those 
vile  secessionists,  thirsting  for  innocent  blood.  They, 
too,  passed  on  and  left  me  to  gloomy  rumination. 
Presently  a  large  number  coming  from  the  creek 
were  about  to  enter  this  thicket  in  quest  of  berries, 
when  one  of  their  number  swore  that  there  were  no 


148  TUPELO. 

berries  in  that  thicket.  He  had  been  there  last  even- 
ing with  a  crowd  and  cleaned  them  out  teetotal  ly. 
He  then  took  them  to  a  place  where  he  said  there 
were  plenty  of  berries,  much  to  my  relief.  I  thought 
this  5th  of  July  was  the  longest  day  I  had  ever 
known.  The  sun  was  so  long  in  reaching  the  zenith, 
and  so  long  in  passing  down  the  steep  ecliptic  way  to 
the  Occident.  But  as  all  days,  however  long  seem- 
ingly, come  to  an  end,  so  did  this.  The  stars  came 
glittering  one  by  one.  I  soon  recognized  that  old, 
staunch,  and  immovable  friend  of  all  travelers  on 
the  underground  railway,  the  polar  star.  Rising 
from  my  lair,  I  was  soon  homeward  bound,  guided 
by  the  north  star  and  an  oriental  constellation. 
Plunging  into  a  dense  wood,  I  found  my  rapid  ad- 
vance impeded  by  the  undergrowth,  and  had  great 
difficulty  in  following  my  heavenly  guides,  as  the 
overarching  boughs  of  the  great  oaks  rendered  them 
invisible  or  dimly  seen.  I  came  to  the  creek — Old 
Town  creek.  At  that  place  it  was  deep  and  wide.  I 
found  a  place  where  a  fallen  tree  partly  spanned  it. 
I  walked  on  the  trunk  till  I  nearly  reached  its  ter- 
minus, then  I  ran  and  jumped  as  far  as  I  could.  I 
alighted  near  the  further  shore,  in  water  only  up  to 
my  arm-pits.  I  speedily  reached  the  dry  ground 
and  hastened  onward.  The  water  quenched  my  rag- 
ing thirst,  but  I  was  very  hungry,  tired,  and  sleepy. 
I  at  length  lay  down  at  the  foot  of  a  large  water-oak, 
resolving  to  take  only  a  nap,  and  then  rise  and  pur- 
sue my  journey.  When  I  awoke  the  sun  was  rising. 


TUPELO.  149 

I  arose  full  of  regret  for  the  loss  of  so  much  precious 
time.  Though  somewhat  refreshed  by  my  sound 
sleep,  my  hunger  was  almost  unendurable,  and  I  was 
famishing  from  thirst.  At  length  I  descried  a  small 
log  house  by  a  roadside.  In  the  distance  I  could  see 
tents.  Feeling  sick  and  faint,  I  resolved  to  go  to  the 
house  to  obtain  water,  and  if  I  liked  the  appearance 
of  the  inmates,  reveal  my  condition  and  ask  for  aid. 
I  never  had  much  difficulty  in  discerning  between  a 
Unionist  and  secessionist  family.  The  bile  and  bitter- 
ness of  the  rabid  secessionist  was  patent,  and  readily 
revealed  his  true  character.  He  gloried  in  making 
his  proclivities  known.  TheUnionist  was  ordina- 
rily reticent,  unless  he  was  playing  the  role  of  a 
secessionist,  and  even  then  his  theatrical  performance 
was  transparent  to  one  who  had  himself  found  it 
necessary  upon  occasion  to  assume  that  guise,  or  to 
one  who  had  mingled  with  both  classes  and  had  stud- 
ied their  idiosyncrasies. 

I  went  to  the  door  of  the  log  edifice  and  knocked. 
A  gruff  voice  said,  "Come."  I  entered,  but  a  glance 
revealed  to  me  the  character  of  the  proprietor.  I  did 
not  like  his  physiognomy.  He  looked  the  villain. 
A  sinister  expression,  a  countenance  revealing  no 
intellectuality  except  a  sort  of  low  cunning,  bore  testi- 
mony that  it  would  be  the  extreme  of  folly  to  repose 
confidence  in  the  possessor  of  such  villainous  looks. 
I  asked  for  water,  intending  to  drink  and  leave  his 
rude  domicile.  He  pointed,  to  the  bucket  without 
speaking.  A  gourd  dipper  was  floating  upon  the 


150  TUPELO. 

surface  of  the  water  which  filled  it.  I  drank  and 
bade  him  good-bye,  and  took  my  departure,  glad  to 
escape  so  easily.  I  had  proceeded  but  a  few  steps 
when  I  heard  the  command,  halt !  uttered  in  a  sten- 
torian tone.  Upon  looking  backward  I  saw  two 
soldiers  within  a  few  steps.  One  was  presenting  a 
double-barreled  gun,  the  other  was  heavily  armed. 
I  asked  the  soldier  who  had  given  the  command  by 
what  authority  he  halted  me,  to  which  he  replied,  "I 
know  you,  sir,  I  have  heard  you  preach  frequently, 
you  are  Parson  Aughey,  and  you  wrere  arrested  and 
lodged  in  prison  at  Tupelo.  I  was  in  Col.  Mark 
Lowrey's  regiment  yesterday,  and  learned  that  you 
had  broken  jail,  and  now,  sir,  you  must  return.  My 
name  is  Dan  Barnes.  You  may  have  heard  of  me." 
I  had  indeed  heard  of  him.  His  father  had  held  the 
office  of  postmaster.  His  son  had  systematically 
robbed  the  mail,  and  for  a  long  time  eluded  detection. 
A  detective,  at  length,  through  a  decoy  letter,  dis- 
covered his  guilt.  When  he  was  arrested  the  letter 
with  its  contents  was  found  upon  his  person.  While 
being  conveyed  to  prison  he  escaped  from  the  officer, 
fled  to  Napoleon  or  Helena,  Arkansas — was  followed, 
brought  back,  and  incarcerated  in  jail  at  Pontotoc. 
As  the  evidence  against  him  was  positive  and  admit- 
ted no  doubt  of  his  guilt,  he  would  have  been  con- 
victed and  sent  to  the  penitentiary,  but  fortunately 
for  this  criminal,  at  this  juncture  Mississippi  seceded. 
The  jurisdiction  of  the  Federal  authorities  was  re- 
garded at  an  end — a  nolle prosegui  was  entered  in  the 


DAN.  BAENES. 


TUPELO.  151 

case  of  Barnes,  and  he  was  liberated  and  soon  after 
joined  the  Confederate  army. 

Soon  Barnes  clime  to  me  and  said,  "  Parson,  I  feel 
sorry  for  you,  I  can  sympathize  with  you  for  I  Avas 
once  in  a  tight  place  myself,  and  would  have  been 
much  pleased  to  have  found  a  friend  to  lend  a  help- 
ing hand.  Now,  if  you  will  pay  me  a  reasonable 
sum  I  will  afford  you  an  opportunity  of  escaping." 
I  distrusted  Barnes7  sincerity,  but  could  not  make 
the  matter  worse  by  accepting  his  proffered  aid.  He 
named  two  hundred  and  fifty  dollars  as  the  reason- 
able sum  to  secure  his  connivance  at  my  escape.  I 
proffered  two  hundred  and  forty  dollars.  It  was  ac- 
cepted, and  I  paid  it  over  to  him.  When  he  had 
secured  the  money,  he  said,  Avith  a  sardonic  laugh, 
"I  was  just  playing  off  on  you.  You  must  go  back 
to  prison.  I  have  no  sympathy  for  d — d  tories,  and 
wish  they  were  all  in  h — 1."  They  then  brought  me 
into  the  presence  of  General  Jordan,  whose  head- 
quarters were  still  at  the  place  where  I  had  the  mis- 
fortune to  meet  him  at  first.  The  proprietor  of  the 
log  cabin  Avas  named  David  Hough.  He  accompa- 
nied Barnes  and  Eph.  Hennon,  as  they  returned  me 
to  the  rebel  authorities.  Barnes  proclaimed,  as  he 
passed  through  the  camps,  his  good  fortune,  and  re- 
ceiA'ed  the  congratulation  of  the  soldiers.  He  re- 
ceived everywhere  an  ovation.  It  Avas  a  sort  of  tri- 
umphal march,  which  he  enjoyed  greatly. 

I  became  the  cynosure  of  all  eyes.  As  Barnes 
Avould  stop  and  recount  his  heroic  and  marvelous  ex- 


152  TUPELO. 

ploit  in  arresting  me,  the  soldiers  would  crowd  around 
me,  gazing  and  hurling  at  me  a  torrent  of  questions. 
They  wanted  me  to  tell  them  where  Malone  was,  and 
assured  me  that  old  Bragg  would  be  d — d  glad  to  see 
me.  After  running  this  gauntlet  for  hours,  I  was 
ushered  into  the  august  presence  of  Gen.  Jordan.  He 
said,  "Where is  Malone?"  I  told  him  that  I  did 
not  know — that  I  had  not  seen  him  after  T  had  left 
the  prison.  He  refused  to  credit  any  of  my  state- 
ments. He  told  me  that  Malone  would  soon  be 
brought  in,  dead  or  alive.  He  could  not  evade  the 
hounds  and  the  cavalry.  He  hoped  to  heaven  that 
they  might  catch  him  speedily,  that  we  might  die  to- 
gether. He  then  ordered  a  guard  to  conduct  me  to  a 
blacksmith's  shop.  He  ordered  the  blacksmith  to 
forge  fetters — bands  and  chain — so  large  and  strong 
that  I  might  be  so  securely  manacled  as  to  prevent 
the  least  possibility  of  my  giving  them  the  slip  till  I 
had  expiated  my  crimes  upon  the  gallows.  The 
blacksmith  was  ordered  to  put  -the  bands  on  while 
red  hot,  and  my  boots  were  burnt  in  the  process  of 
ironing.  It  was  quite  painful,  though  the  blacksmith 
was  as  gentle  as  possible.  Gen.  Jordan  stood  by 
with  drawn  sword,  superintending  the  execution  of 
his  order. 

The  blacksmith  said,  "  Taisez  vous."  I  replied, 
"  Oui,  oui"  He  gave  me  his  name,  and  embraced 
every  opportunity  of  offering  a  word  of  comfort. 
He  was  a  Unionist.  He  asked  Gen.  Jordan  to  allow 
me  to  go  to  his  house  and  get  something  to  eat,  but 


TUPELO.  153 

his  request  was  arrogantly  refused.  I  think  his 
name  was  Monday  or  Friday.  I  remember  that  it 
was  the  name  of  'one  of  the  days  of  the  week.  I 
thus  associated  it  in  my  mind  at  the  time.  He  told 
Gen.  Jordan  that  he  had  never  manacled  a  man,  and 
was  averse  to  obeying  such  an  order.  The  General 
told  him  to  go  to  work  at  once,  or  go  to  prison. 
The  blacksmith  only  obeyed  upon  compulsion. 

"  Iron  him  securely,  SECURELY,  sir"  was  the 
General's  oft  repeated  order.  The  ironing  caused 
me  much  pain,  my  ankles  being  long  discolored  from 
the  effects.  By  wearing  shackles  so  long,  ulcers  were 
formed  which  have  left  life-long  scars.  After  I  was 
secured  by  these  manacles,  they  assisted  me  to  re- 
mount the  horse.  I  was  compelled  to  ride  sidewise. 
The  irons  prevented  me  from  riding  astride.  I  told 
Gen.  Jordan  that  I  had  been  told  that  iron  had  be- 
come scarce  in  the  Southern  Confederacy,  but  that  he 
had  given  me  an  abundant  supply.  I  was  conducted 
under  guard  to  Tupelo.  Upon  my  arrival  the 
provost  marshal  and  commander  of  the  post  were 
much  rejoiced  to  see  me.  They  became  hilarious. 
Barnes,  in  grandiloquent  style,  stated  that  I  had 
attempted  to  bribe  him,  that  he  had  listened  to  my 
proposition  with  indignation,  and  when  he  had  got- 
ten the  money  did  what  he  regarded  was  his  duty. 
The  commander  replied  that  all  of  the  property  of 
traitors  was  theirs,  and  commended  Barnes  for  de- 
ceiving me  after  he  had  secured  the  bribe.  He  also 
recommended  Barnes  for  promotion  for  his  heroic 


154  TUPELO. 

and  patriotic  act  in  arresting  me,  and  for  his  incor- 
ruptible integrity. 

The  provost  marshal  said  to  me :  "  Why  did  you 
attempt  to  leave  us  ?  " 

"  Because,  sir,  your  prison  was  so  filthy,  your  fare 
so  meagre  and  unwholesome,  and  your  treatment  so 
harsh,  cruel,  and  vindictive,  that  I  could  not  long  en- 
dure it  and  survive." 

"Parson,  you  know  the  bible  says,  'the  wicked 
flee  when  no  man  pursueth,  but  the  righteous  are  as 
bold  as  a  lion.'  You  must  have,  been  guilty  of 
crime  or  you  would  not  have  attempted  to  escape." 
•  "I  confess  to  the  truth  of  some  of  the  charges 
made  against  me,  and  yet  hold  that  I  am  innocent  of 
any  crime  against  God  or  man  for  which  I  am 
amenable  to  the  state  or  Confederate  states.  As  to 
pursuit,  I  think  two  companies  of  cavalry  with 
blood-hounds  would  indicate  quite  vigorous  pursuit." 

"  You  shall  never  be  remanded  to  the  prison  vou 
left;  rest  assured  of  that.  Did  any  of  the  prisoners 
know  of  or  aid  you  in  your  escape  ?  " 

<(  No,  sir,  none  of  them  knew  anything  about  it." 

"Are  you  telling  the  truth?"    . 

"I  am." 

"Where  is  Malone?" 

"I  know  not.  I  never  saw  him  after  I  left  the 
prison." 

"  He  cannot  escape.  He  will  be  brought  in,  dead 
or  alive.  Why  did  you  attempt  to  bribe  Dan 
Barnes  ?  " 


TUPELO.  ]  55 

"  It  was  his  own  offer.  I  knew  that  his  cupidity 
was  great,  and  thought  it  no  harm  to  accept  his 
proffered  venal  aid.  If  Barnes  had  his  deserts,  he 
would  now  be  immured  in  the  penitentiary  at  hard 
labor." 

"  Did  the  jury  that  tried  him  acquit  him?" 

"  No,  the  secession  of  Mississippi  alone  saved  him. 
I  refer  you  to  Col.  Tison.  He,  being  marshal  of 
North  Mississippi,  arrested  Barnes.  He  found  on 
his  person  the  evidence  of  his  guilt — the  money  and 
drafts  stolen  when  he  robbed  the  mail." 

I  might  say  here,  that  after  this  Barnes  was  in  • 
company  with  several  soldiers,  boon  companions  of 
his.  One  of  them,  named  Maness,  said  to  Barnes? 
in  reply  to  some  fanciful  story  that  he  had  been  tell- 
ing, "  Now,  Dan,  you  know  that  that  is  a  lie."  Dan, 
in  anger,  said, "  If  you  repeat  that  I  will  shoot  you." 
Maness  replied,  "We  all  know  it  isn't  true." 
Barnes  immediately  shot  Maness,  and  then  fled  to 
Chepultepec,  Alabama.  Was  pursued,  overtaken,  and 
arrested.  On  their  return,  near  the  place  where 
Barnes  had  shot  Maness,  near  Paden's  mills,  the 
guard,  three  of  whom  were  brothers  of  the  murdered 
man,  held  a  consultation,  which  resulted  in  a  decision 
to  inflict  summary  punishment  upon  the  murderer. 
He  had  escaped  the  penalty  due  his  crime  in  robbing 
the  mail,  and  they  feared  that  if  they  returned  him 
to  the  army  he  might  escape  merited  punishment. 
They  compelled  him  to  dig  his  own  grave,  and  then 
they  hanged  him  and  buried  him  in  the  grave  he  had 


156  TUPELO. 

dug.     His  doom  was  just,  and  no  tears  were  shed 
over  his  tragic  fate. 

Some  of  the  general  officers  entered  the  provost 
marshal's  office.  After  a  short  consultation,  one  of 
them,  approaching  me,  said,  "You  will  be  shot  within 
an  hour.  If  you  have  any  message  for  your  friends 
you  may  write  it,  and  I  will  see  to  its  delivery." 

I  wrote  thus : 

TUPELO,  Miss.,  July  7, 1863. 

MY  DEAR  WIFE — I  must  die  within  an  hour,  so 
General  Bragg  has  this  moment  informed  me.  This 
"is  the  last  letter  you  will  ever  receive  from  me.  I 
die  because  I  have  pursued  unswervingly  what  I  re- 
garded as  my  duty  to  my  God  and  my  country.  I 
would  not,  even  for  the  consideration  of  long  life 
and  the  endearments  of  a  happy  home,  prove  recreant 
to  duty  and  swerve  from  fidelity  to  a  government 
that  has  never  infringed  my  rights  of  person  or 
property. 

To  the  kind  protecting  care  of  a  covenant-keeping 
God  I  commit  you  and  our  dear  Kate  and  the  un- 
born babe,  whose  face  in  this  world  I  will  never  see. 
God  has  promised  to  be  the  husband  of  the  widow 
and  the  father  of  the  fatherless,  and  he  is  faithful 
who  has  promised.  I  die  at  the  hands  of  cruel,  im- 
placable, and  vindictive  men,  my  own  and  my 
country's  enemies.  This  is  the  hour  and  power  of 
darkness,  but  it  is  my  time  to  die.  My  hour  has 
come.  It  is  appointed  unto  man  once  uo  die.  Of 
man  the  scriptures  say,  his  days  are  determined,  the 


TUPELO.  157 

number  of  his  months  is  with  thee.  There  is  an 
appointed  bound  that  he  cannot  pass.  The  wicked 
go  when  their  cup  of  iniquity  is  full,  the  righteous 
when  they  have  fulfilled  the  mission  appointed  them 
by  Jehovah.  Our  Savior  was  slain  by  wicked  men  car- 
rying out  according  to  the  freedom  of  their  own  will 
their  own  murderous  purpose,  as  Peter  declared  at  Pen- 
tecost, Him  being  delivered  by  the  determinate  coun- 
sel and  foreknowledge  of  God,  ye  have  taken  and  by 
wicked  hands  have  crucified  and  slain.  Kiss  our 
darling  Kate  for  me.  I  have  no  fear  of  death.  I 
go  trusting  in  Jesus.  We  will  meet  beyond  the 
river.  Farewell,  a  long  fare\vell. 
Your  affectionate  husband, 

JOHN  H.  AUGHEY. 

I  wrote  within  the  lines  an  occasional  word  in 
phonography,  which  read  thus:  Inform  Generals 
Nelson  and  Rosecrans  of  my  re-arrest  and  my  sad 
fate. 

I  was  then  placed  under  guard  and  conducted  to  a 
small  room  in  a  hotel  till  preparations  might  be 
made  for  my  death  by  shooting.  Two  guards  re- 
mained in  the  room  with  their  guns  with  bayonets 
fixed,  with  strict  orders  to  shoot  or  bayonet  me  if  I 
made  the  least,  show  of  an  attempt  at  escape.  There 
were  two  guards  also  stationed  just  outside  the  door, 
with  the  same  orders,  to  be  enforced  if  necessary. 

I  remained  in  this  room  an  hour  or  more,  suppos- 
ing that  as  soon  as  the  necessary  arrangements  for  my 
execution  were  completed  I  would  be  led  to  death. 


1 58  TUPELO. 

After  a  time  orders  came  and  I  was  marched  into 
the  presence  of  the  officers.  General  Bragg  said, 
u  We  have  concluded  to  hang  you." 

I  replied,  "I  deprecate  that  mode  of  execution. 
Do  please  shoot  me." 

He  then  said,  "  You  will  also  have  a  trial,  and  if 
it  results  in  conviction,  of  which  there  is  no  doubt, 
you  will  be  hanged  in  the  presence  of  the  army." 

The  guards  were  then  ordered  to  take  charge  of 
me.  My  chain  was  so  short  that  I  could  only  step 
about  ten  inches.  I  could  just  set  my  heel  in  step- 
ping even  with  the  toe  of  the  opposite  foot.  They 
brought  me  to  the  same  old  prison.  When  I  en- 
tered it,  my  old  friends,  the  true,  tried,  and  trusted 
prisoners  who  still  survived,  crowded  around  me. 
Captain  Bruce  addressed  me  in  his  facetious  manner. 
In  prison  his  wit  had  beguiled  many  a  tedious  hour. 
His  humor  was  the  pure  Attic  salt. 

"Parson  Aughey,  you  are  welcome  back  to  my 
hotel,  though  you  have  played  us  rather  a  scurvy 
trick  in  leaving  without  giving  me  or  any  of  us 
the  least  inkling  of  your  intention,  or  settling  your 
bill." 

I  replied,  "  Captain,  it  was  hardly  right,  but  I  did 
not  like  your  fare,  and  your  hotel  was  sadly  infested 
with  chinches,  chiggers,  ticks,  and  graybacks." 

"  Well,  you  do  not  seein  to  have  fared  better 'since 
you  left,  for  you  have  returned." 

"Captain,  my  return  is  the  result  of  coercion. 
Some  who  oppose  this  principle  when  applied  to 


TUPELO.  159 

themselves  have  no  scruples  in  enforcing  it  upon 
others. 

'No  rogue  e'er  felt  the  halter  draw 

'With  good  opinion  of  the  law,' 

is  an  old  saw,  and  the  truth  of  proverbs  is  seldom 
affected  by  the  lapse  of  time.  I  am  your  guest  by 
compulsion,  but  remember  I  will  leave  you  upon  the 
first  opportunity." 

Upoji  hearing  this  statement,  an  officer  present, 
named  Cecil  Hindman,  with  a  bitter  imprecation, 
said  that  when  I  next  crossed  the  threshold  of  that 
building  it  would  be  to  go  to  cross  the  railroad  to 
the  place  of  execution. 

The  prisoners  gathered  around  me  upon  the  exit 
of  the  officers,  and  I  related  to  them  my  adventures. 
They  then  informed  me  of  what  had  occurred  during 
my  absence.  At  roll  call  the  neyt  morning  we  were 
missed.  Clarke  was  taken  out  to  guide  a  company 
in  search  of  you.  The  guards  on  duty  during  the 
night  were  put  under  arrest.  Your  method  of  escape 
was  speedily  discovered  and  the  guards  were  released, 
as  they  were  not  at  fault.  The  floor  was  spiked 
down,  the  guards  increased  in  number,  and  greater 
vigilance  enjoined.  The  prisoners  were  questioned 
as  to  whether  they  knew  of  your  escape  or  had  in 
any  way  contributed  to  effect  it.  We  all  positively 
denied  any  knowledge  of  or  complicity  in  the  escape. 
They  asked  me  if  I  had  given  the  officers  any  infor- 
mation about  their  knowledge  oi  our  designs  and 
co-operation  in  effecting  them.  I  told  them  that  I 


160  TUPELO. 

had  positively  denied  that  any  except  Malone  and 
myself  were  privy  to  our  plans.  Was  this  right? 
Is  falsehood  ever  justifiable? 

If  I  had  revealed  the  aid  received  from  my  fellow- 
prisoners  they  would  have  been  severely  punished, 
perhaps  some  of  them  capitally,  at  once.  And  my 
fellow-prisoners  would  have  regarded  me  as  a  base 
ingrate,  and  would  not  a  second  time,  as  they  did, 
have  risked  their  lives  to  set  me  free  and  save  my 
life.  We  ought  to  speak  every  man  truth  to  his 
neighbor,  but  those  secessionists,  thirsting  for  innocent 
blood,  were  in  no  true  sense  our  neighbors,  though 
too  near  neighbors,  in  regard  to  physical  proximity, 
for  our  welfare.  In  order  to  save  life  we  may  take 
life,  and  may  we  not  deceive  by  words,  and  be  guilt- 
less, those  who  would  use  their  knowledge  to  destroy 
the  innocent?  I  asked  Benjamin  Clarke,  when  he 
was  remanded  to  prison,  to  give  us  the  particulars  of 
the  pursuit  of  Malone  and  myself  by  the  cavalry  and 
blood-hounds,  to  which  request  he  assented. 

BENJAMIN  CLARKE'S  STORY. 

"You  were  not  missed  till  roll-call  in  the  morning. 
Your  name  was  the  first  on  the  roll.  This  man  [lay- 
ing his  hand  on  the  shoulder  of  a  prisoner]  is  a  great 
mimic.  When  he  tries  he  can  beat  a  mocking  bird. 
He  can  mimic  any  man's  voice.  He  can  call  up  any 
animal  or  bird  when  he  wants  to*  shoot  it.  This  man, 
Will  Croghan's  his  name,  sung  out,  'Here.'  Some  of 
us  that  knowed  you  was  gone  looked  round,  thinkin' 


TUPELO.  161 

it  was  your  voice.  When  they  got  to  Malone's  name, 
Jim  Benton  sung  out  present,  but  he  wasn't  no 
mimic,  and  the  officer  called  out  agin,  Dick  Malone, 
an'  nobody  answered.  He  then  stopped  calling  the 
roll  and  sent  out  an  orderly.  It  wasn't  long  till  old 
Bragg,  Hardee,  and  some  other  officers  come  into  the 
prison  in  a  hurry.  The  officer  commenced  calling  the 
roll  agin.  Croghan  was  afeard  to  chirp,  an'  they  found 
that  you  and  Malone  was  gone.  Bragg  stormed 
round  a  spell,  and  afore  long  I  was  sent  for.  They 
told  me  to  mount  a  horse  a  nigger  was  holdin'.  I 
done  so,  and  we  all  started  off.  They  told  me  to 
guide  them  straight  to  Paden's  mill.  We  had  twenty- 
five  cavalry  men  and  forty  dogs.  They  started  with 
that  many,  seein*  they  might  have  to  separate  to  fol- 
low different  trails.  How  the  hounds  did  howl  and 
yelp.  To  give  you  a  chance,  i  took  ;em  round  by 
Bull  Mountain,  up  one  hill  an'  down  the  same,  an' 
up  another.  They  wanted  to  find  some  of  your  cloze 
in  the  prison  to  let  the  dogs  git  a  scent.  I  thought 
Alex.  Spear,  that  Federal  prisoner  from  Ellisville, 
Illinois,  an'  you  had  traded  pants,  so  you  could  git  a 
dark  pair  so  as  to  git  by  the  guards,  but  they  wazent 
none  the  wizer  for  me  knowin'  that.  Well,  nigh  on 
to  4  o'clock  in  the  evenin'  we  struck  a  trail.  The 
hounds  follered  it  lively.  I  waz  awful  feared  it  waz 
yourn,  still  I  thought  you  wouldeut  be  sich  a  fool  as 
to  go  off  on  a  straight  shoot  for  Fulton,  where  they 
took  us  on  our  way  here,  an*  where  all  the  roads  waz 
picketed.  The  trail  was  fresh,  and  the  hounds  got 
11 


162  TUPELO. 

about  a  mile  ahead.  All  at  once  we  knowed  they  had 
treed  their  game,  an'  agin  I  jist  trembled  in  my  boots 
for  fear  it  waz  you.  We  loped  along  as  fast  as  we 
could,  but  the  ground  got  swampy  an'  the  bushes 
waz  thick,  an'  drekly  we  knowed  the  dogs  hed  come 
up  with  some  big  varmint,  an'  it  was  givin  'em  bat- 
tle, and  they  waz  gittin'  the  wust  of  the  skrimmage. 
We  hed  an  awful  time  to  git  through  the  chaparral, 
an'  we  had  to  go  out  of  our  way  a  long  trip  to  git 
round  a  sloo.  But  when  we  did  come  up  with  the 
dogs  they  hed  killed  an  awful  big  bar.  But  afore  he 
knocked  under  he'd  got  his  work  in  on  the  dogs,  an' 
you  may  never  b'leve  me  agin  ef  there  wazzent  four- 
teen dogs  lyin'  dead  as  herrin's  an'  some  more  com- 
pletely uzed  up.  The  best  sentin'  hound  waz  lyin' 
close  to  the  ded  bar,  and  the  bar's  jaws  was  clozed 
on  one  of  his  hind  legs  like  a  vise.  We  got  his  jaws 
loose,  but  the  dog's  leg  waz  mashed  into  a  jelly,  an' 
we  hed  to  shoot  him  to  put  him  out  of  hiz  mizery. 
Well,  these  cavalry  fellows  swore  they  wazzent  goin' 
to  leave  till  they  hed  tried  some  of  the  bar  steaks. 
They  drug  the  carcass  of  the  bar  half  a  mile  to  a 
hummock,  an'  rolled  up  logs  till  they  hed  made  a  big 
log-heap,  then  sot  it  on  fire,  skinned  the  bar,  sliced 
off  the  nice  steaks,  an'  jist  enjoyed  themselves.  'Fore 
this  waz  done  it  waz  very  dark,  an'  the  cap'n  in 
charge  of  the  squad  sed  he  reckoned  they'd  best  go 
inter  camp  fer  the  night.  'Twazent  fur  from  Fulton. 
'Bout  midnight  ten  of  these  fellers  stole  off  to  go  to 
Madam  Dunderberg's,  in  Fulton.  She  kep  a  bagnio 


TUPELO.  163 

on  the  edge  of  town.  They  got  into  a  row  with 
some  roughs  that  waz  there  an'  hed  monopolized  all 
the  girls,  and  Bill'Snediker  and  Jo  Rucker  was  killed, 
an'  Nath  Downs  waz  hurt  bad.  They  had  a  tough 
time  gitten  back.  The  cap'n  hed  to  leave  Downs  at 
a  settler's  cabin,  an'  sent  the  settler  fer  a  doctor,  but 
before  the  doctor  kum  Downs  hed  gone  wher  they 
don't  need  no  doctors,  fur  as  we  know.  "Well,  'twas 
nigh  about  noon,  an'  the  cap'n  said  we'd  bury  Downs 
decent  afore  we  left,  so  we  hed  dinner  fust  of 'n  the 
bar,  then  we  dug  a  grave  'en  buried  Downs  with  the 
honors  of  war.  I  thought  about  escapin',  but  there 
wazent  the  ghost  of  a  chance.  The  dogs  was  allowed 
to  tackle  the  bar,  an'  there  wazent  much  of  bruin,  as 
the  cap'n  called  him,  left  after  they  had  done  satisfied 
their  appetites.  The  cap'n,  Hindman  I  think  waz 
his  name,  was  purty  bad  flustered.  He'd  give  me 
his  compass,  an'  I,  hopiu'  to  escape,  pertended  I'd 
dropped  it  accidental  in  the  swamp.  The  cap'n  waz 
mad  as  blazes,  an'  swore  wus  than  old  Van  Dorn 
when  he  foun'  out  the  parson  and  Malone  hed  broke 
jail.  He  told  me  I  must  git  them  to  Paden's  mill 
agin  night,  or  he'd  tie  me  up  by  the  thumbs.  I  told 
him  that  was  onpossible.  He  said  onpossible  or  not 
it  must  be  did.  "Well,  we  started  off,  bearin'  north- 
east. We  passed  right  by  my  house.  I  said,  "  Cap'n 
les  make  some  inquiries  here."  We  pulled  up  before 
the  door,  it  opened  an'  my  wife  an*  children  come  to 
to  the  door.  I  got  down  ofn  the  horse  an'  they  all 
gathered  about  me  like  so  many  bees.  Lilly  May, 


164  TUPELO. 

the  baby,  nestled  her  head  in  my  bosom.  Jini  said, 
'  Pa,  we've  been  workin'  like  beavers  since  you  waz 
taken  away  from  us.  You'll  find  the  crops  all  right. 
Ma  helped  us,  too.'  Just  then  the  cap'n  ordered  me 
to  mount  my  horse.  '  Oh,  pa/  the  children  shouted, 
'Ain't  you  come  home  to  stay?'  but  the  cap'n  hur- 
ried on,  and  the  last  sight  I  had  of  my  wife  and  babes 
they  waz  all  weepin'  as  ef  their  hearts  would  break, 
an'  its  the  last  sight  of  'em  I  ever  expect  to  have  in 
this  world. 

He  stopped  to  weep  and  we  all  wept  iu  sympathy 
with  him.  "When  we  got  to  Mackey's  creek,"  he  con- 
tinued, "near  Paden's  mill,  \ve  camped  fur  the  night. 
Next  mornin',  bright  an'  early,  we  rode  up  to  Mr. 
Paden's.  The  cap'n  told  Mr.  Paden  he  had  a  dis- 
agreeable duty  to  perform.  He  had  been  ordered  to 
search  his  premises  for  a  prisoner — a  son-in-law  of 
hizzen  that  hed  broke  jail  at  Tupelo.  Mr.  Paden 
said  he  might  search,  but  they  would  find  no  one. 
They  searched  the  house  upstairs  and  down,  .then 
sent  a  squad  to  the  negro  quarters,  another  to  the 
mills,  but  their  errand  waz  a  bootless  one. 

Again  he  stopped  to  weep,  we  all  wept  with  him. 
Saying,  "  Excuse  me  I  could  not  help  it,"  he  contin- 
ued :  "Your  wife  sat  on  the  sofa  in  the  parlor,  pale 
as  death.  Before  we  left  she  came  to  the  door  and 
looked  at  the  hounds  and  listened  to  their  howling. 
Her  hands  were  clasped  together.  Once  I  saw  her 
lips  move.  I  thought  she  was  praying.  I  stood 
near  her,  but  I  did  not  hear  her  speak.  I  think  she 


TUPELO.  165 

couldent  speak  for  sorrow.  Oh,  how  my  heart  bled 
for  her,  an'  how  much  I  wanted  to  tell  her  that  I 
believed  you  waz  safe  in  the  Federal  lines,  but  I 
could  not  git  a  chance  to  do  so  without  notice.  I  got 
a  chance  to  say  to  her  father,  I  believed  you  waz  safe 
in  Bienzi  by  this  time,  an'  I  told  him  to  tell  his 
daughter  so,  which  I  haint  no  doubt  but  what  he  did. 
We  left  an'  come  back  in  a  hurry.  The  other  com- 
pany that  went  due  north  got  back  about  the  time 
we  did.  A  squad  of  them  reported  that  they  caught 
Malone,  but  that  he  got  away  from  them  at  a  house 
where  they  went  to  git  water.  They  fired  on  him, 
and  have  no  doubt  that  they  wounded  him  bad,  an' 
think  he  never  could  make  the  Federal  lines.  Our 
cap'n  told  everybody  he  met  that  a  big  reward  was 
offered  fur  you,  an'  described  you  the  best  he  could, 
an'  stuck  up  notices  describing  you  an'  offering  a  re- 
ward fur  catchin'  you.  When  they  got  back  they 
put  me  back  in  prison,  an'  I  waz  very  sorry  to  see 
you  here.  Well,  we'll  have  a  chance  now  to  go  to 
heaven  together.  I  reckon  there  aint  much  show  fur 
either  of  us." 

M.  T.  Anderson  said,  "  If  I  am  ever  exchanged 
I'll  publish  this  from  one  end  of  the  Xorth  to  the 
other.  I'll  tell  of  the  heroic  endurance  of  the  south- 
ern loyalists  who  prefer  death  to  dishonor,  who  pre- 
fer an  ignominious  death  to  the  guilt  of  treason 
against  the  best  government  the  sun  shines  upon." 

I  approached  a  prisoner  who  was  heavily  fettered. 
Both  hands  and  feet  were  bound  with  iron  bauds, 


166  TUPELO. 

and  he  was  chained  to  the  floor,  the  chain  being 
fastened  to  a  bolt.  I  learned  that  he  was  a  Minor- 
can.  I  said,  "  You  are  a  Minorcau,  I  learn."  He 
replied,  "  I  have  that  honor,  sir."  After  confidence 
had  been  established  between  us,  he  gave  me  his  his- 
tory, thus  : 

"  My  name  is  Louis  LasCassas  Lornette.  My 
father  is  a  native  of  the  island  of  Minorca.  He  re- 
moved with  his  family  and  a  large  number  of 
Minorcans  to  a  town  on  the  St.  John's  river,  Florida, 
in  the  year  1826.  There  I  was  born  May  8,  1828. 
My  mother  gave  birth  to  triplets — all  boys — Louis, 
Pierre,  and  Philippe.  We  always  dressed  alike, 
and  bore  a  striking  resemblance  to  each  other.  We 
were  devotedly  attached  to  each  other  and  were 
inseparable  companions.  We  became  mighty  hun- 
ters before  the  Lord.  We  pursued  this  vocation  con 
amore,  and  the  founder  of  Nineveh  himself,  the  re- 
nowned Nimrod,  could  not  have  been  more  successful 
than  we.  At  length  the  tocsin  of  war  sounded — 
civil  war.  We  had  all  attended  the  academy  of  a 
professor  named  Nathan  Hale,  of  the  state  of  Ver- 
mont. He  was  a  great  admirer  of  the  great  statesman, 
Daniel  Webster.  He  had  a  copy  of  his  speeches 
which  we  were  permitted  to  read.  We  admired 
them  much,  especially  his  debate  with  Hayne,  Cal- 
houn,  and  others  in  the  U.  S.  senate  in  regard  to  the 
right  of  a  state  to  nullify  the  laws  of  the  national 
government,  or  to  secede  from  the  Union.  We 
thought  those  statesmen  were  like  pigmies  in  the 


TUPELO.  167 

hands  of  a  giant.  When  the  war  came,  and  we  were 
told  that  the  government  must  be  disrupted  in  the 
interest  of  human  slavery,  my  brothers  and  I  resolved, 
come  weal  or  come  woe,  we  would  never,  never  be 
guilty  of  treason  to  subserve  an  institution  we  de- 
tested. Our  parents  had  taught  us  to  hate  slavery 
with  a  perfect  hatred.  Many  a  poor  hunted  fugitive 
have  we  protected,  and  taught  him  how  to  defend 
himself  from  the  terrible  Siberian  blood-hound.  We 
had  never  entertained  for  a  moment  the  idea  that  we 
ourselves  would  ever  be  the  object  of  pursuit  by  these 
same  horrible  dogs.  One  night  a  company  of  cav- 
alry surrounded  our  father's  house,  during  a  re-union 
of  his  family.  We  three  brothers  were  seized,  bound, 
and  after  various  vicissitudes  were  placed  in  prison 
in  New  Orleans,  La.,  on  the  charge  of  treason 
against  the  Confederate  States  of  America.  We  were 
tried  and  condemned  to  be  shot.  They  then  offered 
us  a  pardon  on  condition  that  we  would  enlist  in  the 
Confederate  army.  They  gave  us  one  week's  respite 
for  consideration.  Wre  were  permitted  to  occupy  the 
same  cell  in  prison.  We  debated  the  matter,  pro  and 
con.  At  first  we  thought  it  best  to  send  in  our  decis- 
ion in  the  negative  at  once.  Pierre  reasoned  in  this 
way  :  '  Would  it  not  be  well  to  accept  their  terms, 
take  the  oath,  enter  the  army,  and  at  the  first  favor- 
able opportunity  desert  and  make  our  way  to  the 
Federal  lines.'  '  But  what  about  the  oath  ? '  said 
Philippe.  'An  oath  exacted  under  such  circum- 
stances is  much  more  honored  in  the  breach  than  in 


168  TUPELO. 

the  observance/  replied  his  brother.  In  a  moment 
of  weakness  we  sent  in  an  affirmative  answer.  We 
begged  to  be  permitted  to  enter  the  same  regiment 
and  the  same  company.  This  request  was  denied. 
We  were  mustered  in  in  different  regiments,  and  thus 
separated  widely.  I  was  put  in  a  Mississippi  regi- 
ment. I  deserted,  hoping  to  reach  the  Federal  lines. 
A  company  of  cavalry,  with  a  pack  of  fierce 
Siberian  blood-hounds  were  sent  out  in  search  of  me. 
I  came  to  a  planter's  quarters.  The  colored  people 
and  I  searched  all  one* day,  thus  losing  much  precious 
time,  to  find  some  herbs  with  which  I  could  have 
compounded  a  subtle  poison,  and  by  means  of  pieces 
of  meat  saturated  with  it,  I  could  have  destroyed  a 
large  pack  of  hounds.  But  we  could  not  pro- 
cure the  herbs.  They  are  indigenous  to  a  low, 
swampy  country.  They  abound  in  the  everglades  of 
Florida.  The  colored  people  furnished  me  with 
cayenne  pepper,  onions,  and  matches,  and  I  felt 
comparatively  safe.  But  one  day  I  heard  a  pack  of 
hounds  behind  me.  I  used  every  ruse  and  stratagem 
I  could  devise,  but  just  as  I  felt  assured  that  the  trail 
was  broken  a  company  who  had  gone  north  in  search 
of  you,  while  returning,  came  upon  me  and  ordered 
me  to  come  down  from  the  tree  in  which  I  had  taken 
refuge,  and  here  I  am." 

"  What  will  be  your  fate?  "  I  asked. 

He  replied,  "  They  have  discovered  the  regiment 
to  which  I  belonged,  and  I  am  condemned  to  death 
by  shooting." 


TUPELO.  169 

About  11  o'clock  A.M.,  Col.  Gustave  Feuillevert 
came  into  the  prison.  He  was  a  planter,  a  slave- 
holder, and  a  friend  of  General  Sterling  Price.  He 
was  of  French  ancestry.  Had  formerly  lived  in 
Florida,  and  was  an  uncle  of  Louis  Lornette,  the 
prisoner.  He  recognized  him  at  once,  as  Louis  a  few 
years  before  had  visited  his  uncle  and  spent  the  sum- 
mer with  him.  Col.  Feuillevert,  who  was  an  ultra- 
secessionist,  tried  to  induce  some  of  the  prisoners  to 
promise  to  enlist  in  his  regiment  in  case  he  secured 
their  release  upon  that  condition.  He  was  not  success- 
ful in  a  single  instance.  He  then  approached  his 
nephew,  Louis,  who  was  sitting  alone  in  the  corner  of 
the  prison,  and  informed  him  that  his  brothers, 
Philippe  and  Pierre,  were  at  his  house  in  hiding.  He 
said  they  had  deserted  from  Florida  regiments,  and  af- 
ter many  remarkable  adventures  had  reached  his  house 
in  as  ragged  and  forlorn  a  condition  as  it  was  possible 
for  men  to  be  found.  He  detested  their  treason,  but 
their  aunt  would  save  them  at  the  peril  of  her  life, 
and  although  he  would  not  betray  them  he  felt  sorry 
and  angry  at  their  obstinacy.  The  colonel  urged  his 
nephew  to  abjure  his  allegiance  to  a  government  that 
made  war  upon  the  institutions  of  the  South  and  re- 
fused to  keep  faith  with  the  Southern  states,  and  had 
measurably  nullified  the  provisions  of  the  fugitive 
slave  law ;  but  all  in  vain,  Louis  refused  to  swerve 
from  his  loyalty.  The  colonel  bade  his  nephew 
adieu,  and  departed.  The  day  of  Louis'  execution 
dawned.  I  conversed  with  him,  prayed  with  him, 


170  TUPELO. 

took  his  last  messages  to  wife  and  children,  promis- 
ing that  if  I  survived  the  horrors  of  this  prison  I 
would  faithfully  deliver  them,  but  of  this  I  had  lit- 
tle hope.  Louis  told  me  it  was  clear  to  his  mind 
that  God  in  His  providence  had  sent  me  to  this  prison 
for  such  a  time  as  this.  Those  appointed  to  die 
needed  the  presence  of  one  who  could  point  them  to 
the  Savior,  and,  as  a  humble  instrument  in  the  hand 
of  God,  prepare  them  for  a  dying  hour.  It  was  a 
source  of  poignant  regret  that  he  had,  even  for  the 
hope  of  escape,  taken  the  oath  of  allegiance  to  the 
Confederate  States  of  America.  His  oath  of  allegi- 
ance to  the  state  of  Florida  he  thought  was  right  and 
proper,  as  he  understood  it. 

At  noon  the  guards  brought  in  a  prisoner  who  had 
voluntarily  surrendered  himself,  declaring  that  he 
was  Louis  Las  Cassas  Lornette  and  desired  to  rejoin 
his  regiment.  When  confronted  with  the  condemned 
Louis,  they  bore  such  a  striking  resemblance  to  each 
other  that  the  officers  were  puzzled.  Gen.  Bragg 
would  be  absent  from  Tupelo  for  a  few  days,  and 
Gen.  Sterling  Price,  to  whom  the  case  was  referred, 
granted  a  respite  till  Gen.  Bragg's  return.  Each 
prisoner  insisted  that  he  was  Louis  Las  Cassas  Lor- 
nette, and  refused  to  recognize  the  other.  The  offi- 
cers took  the  matter  under  advisement,  and  thought 
it  best  to  send  the  two  prisoners  to  Gen.  Bragg  for 
his  decision.  Should  they  fail  to  carry  out  Gen. 
Bragg's  orders  promptly  they  feared  the  conse- 
quences. A  regiment  was  detailed  for  this  purpose. 


TUPELO.  171 

They  went  via  Paden's  Mills.  Here  they  met  a  reg- 
iment of  Federal  cavalry ;  a  skirmish  ensued,  several 
were  killed,  and  their  bodies  lie  buried  in  Mr. 
Paden's  orchard.  The  Confederates  fled  and  were 
pursued  four  miles.  They  left  their  prisoners  in  the 
hands  of  the  Federals. 

So  Louis  and  Pierre  still  live  to  tell  their  children 
the  trials  and  persecutions  of  the  Southern  loyalists. 
Philippe  soon  rejoined  them  in  the  !North,  and  enlist- 
ing in  the  same  regiment,  they  served  faithfully  till 
the  close  of  the  war.  Philippe  died  May  8, 1866,  of 
a  wound  received  in  the  engagement  which  resulted 
in  the  capture  of  Fort  Fisher.  Xot  till  the  war  was 
ended  did  their  families  rejoin  them.  Louis'  and 
Pierre's  and  Philippe's  families  are  citizens  of  Cali- 
fornia. Pierre  had  resolved  to  save  his  brother  or 
perish  with  him.  The  affection  of  Damon  and 
Pythias  could  not  have  been  stronger.  A  kind 
Providence  crowned  the  scheme  to  save  his  brother 
Louis  with  abundant  success,  and  these  elderly  vet- 
erans, still  as  much  alike  as  in  their  youth,  save  the 
scar  of  a  sabre  thrust  which  laid  open  the  cheek  of 
Louis,  are  still  fighting  their  battles  over  at  the  urgent 
solicitation  of  their  children  and  their  grand- children 
and  neighbors. 

These  brothers  are  still  soldiers,  faithful  soldiers 
of  the  Cross.  Louis  dates  his  conversion  from  the 
time  of  his  incarceration  in  Tupelo,  and  when  he 
writes  to  me  addresses  me  as  his  spiritual  father,  and 
speaks  of  himself  as  my  son  in  the  gospel,  begotten 


172  TUPELO. 

in  iny  bonds.  Pierre  and  Philippe  united  with  the 
regimental  church  at  Beaufort,  North  Carolina, 
brought  to  Jesus  by  their  brother  Louis,  and  their 
Christian  graces  rapidly  developed  under  the  faithful 
ministrations  of  that  godly  pastor,  Chaplain  LaSalle 
Coligny,  of  Huguenot  ancestry. 

We  are  living,  we  are  dwelling, 

In  a  grand  and  awful  time, 
In  an  age  on  ages  telling, 

To  be  living  is  sublime. 

After  being  remanded  to  prison,  I  felt  that  my 
condition  was  utterly  hopeless.  For  a  time,  as  often 
as  I  approached  the  door,  the  guards  would  order  me 
back.  I  preached  to  my  fellow-prisoners  every 
evening.  The  best  possible  order  was  maintained, 
as  they  stood  or  sat  upon  the  floor  and  listened  to  the 
words  of  eternal  life.  A  deep  seriousness  prevailed, 
and  many  believed,  to  the  salvation  of  their  souls. 
The  songs  of  Zion  resounded  through  the  prison 
house,  and  a  great  concourse  of  soldiers  assembled 
outside  the  guards  in  front  of  both  doors.  Several 
officers  saw  fit  to  come  in  during  divine  service. 
Some  of  them  behaved  decorously,  but  on  one  or  two 
occasions,  officers  who  neither  feared  God  nor  re- 
garded man,  nor  the  proprieties  becoming  gentlemen, 
interrupted  the  services  by  talking  in  a  loud  and  in- 
sulting tone,  and  asking  me  how  I  liked  my  jewelry, 
pointing  to  my  fetters.  The  prisoners  protested 
against  their  rude  and  ungentlemanly  conduct,  but 
without  effect ;  they  sent  a  remonstrance  to  the  com- 


TUPELO.  173 

mander  of  the  post,  but  he  treated  it  with  silent 
contempt. 

We  were  a  motley  assemblage.  All  the  southern 
states  and  every  prominent  religious  denomination 
had  representatives  among  us.  The  youth  in  his 
nonage,  and  the  gray-haired  and  very  aged  man  were 
there.  The  learned  and  the  illiterate,  the  superior 
and  the  subordinate  were  with  us.  The  descendants 
of  Shem,  Ham,  and  Japheth,  were  here  on  the  same 
common  level,  for  in  our  prison  were  Afric's  dark- 
browed  sons,  the  descendants  of  Pocahontas,  and  the 
pure  Caucasian.  Death  is  said  to  be  the  great  leveler ; 
the  dungeon  at  Tupelo  was  a  great  leveler.  A  fel- 
low feeling  made  us  wondrous  kind ;  none  ate  his 
morsel  alone,  and  a  deep  and  abiding  sympathy  for 
each  other's  woes  pervaded  every  bosom.  When  our 
fellow-prisoners  were  called  to  die,  and  were  led 
through  our  midst  with  pallid  brows  and  agony  de- 
picted upon  their  countenances,  our  heartfelt  expres- 
sions of  sorrow  and  commiseration  were  not  loud 
(through  fear)  but  deep. 

An  officer  entered.  My  name  was  called.  I  arose 
from  the  floor  on  \vhich  I  had  been  reclining.  I 
recognized  him  as  my  old  friend,  Col.  H.  W.  Walter, 
of  Holly  Springs,  Miss.  After  the  ordinary  saluta- 
tions, he  informed  me  that  he  was  judge  advocate  of 
this  army,  and  that  he  came  to  inform  me  of  the  day 
appointed  for  my  trial,  and  to  learn  whether  I 
wished  to  summon  any  witnesses,  and  whom.  I 
gave  him  the  names  and  addresses  of  several  wit- 


174  TUPELO. 

nesses,  but  he  refused  to  send  for  them,  upon  the 
plea  that  they  lived  too  near  the  Federal  lines.  I 
replied  that  the  cavalry  that  had  gone  in  pursuit  of 
me  had  visited  those  localities. 

He  then  asked  me  what  I  wished  to  prove  by  those 
witnesses.  I  replied  that  I  wished  to  prove  that  the 
specifications  under  the  charge  of  enacting  the  spy 
are  false ;  that  Ferdinand  Woodruff  is  a  man  of  no 
moral  worth;  that  Barnes  is  a  mail-robber,  and 
therefore  riot  a  competent  nor  veracious  witness. 

"Your  own  admissions,"  said  the  colonel,  "are 
sufficient  to  cause  you  to  lose  your  life.  Both 
charges  against  you  will  be  fully  established.  The 
testimony  as  to  your  guilt  is  clear  and  positive."  He 
then  read  the  charges  and  specifications : 

"First  charge. — Treason. 

"First  specification. — That  Rev.  John  H.  Aughey, 
a  citizen  of  the  state  of  Mississippi,  and  of  the  Con- 
federate States  of  America,  stated  to  a  member  of 
Hill's  cavalry,  that  if  McClellan  were  defeated  the 
North  could  raise  a  much  larger  army  in  a  short 
time ;  that  the  North  would  eventually  conquer  the 
South,  and  that  he  was  a  Unionist — this  for  the  pur- 
pose of  giving  aid  and  comfort  to  the  enemy. 

"  Second  specification. — That  when  said  Aughey 
was  requested  to  take  the  oath  of  allegiance  to  the 
Confederate  States  of  America,  he  refused,  giving  as  a 
reason  that  England  and  France  and  himself  had 
not  as  yet  recognized  the  Southern  Confederacy ; 
stating  also  that  he  had  voluntarily  taken  the  oath 


TUPELO.  175 

of  allegiance  to  the  United  States  government,  which 
he  regarded  as  binding — this  in  North  Mississippi. 

"Third  specification. — That  said  Rev.  John  H. 
Aughey  was  acting  as  a  Federal  agent  in  the  pur- 
chase of  cotton,  and  that  he  had  received  a  large  sum 
of  gold  from  the  United  States  government  to  pay 
for  the  cotton  purchased. 

"  Second  charge. — Enacting  the  spy. 

"  That  said  Aughey,  while  a  citizen  of  the  Con- 
federate States,  repeatedly  came  into  our  lines  for  the 
purpose  of  obtaining  information  for  the  benefit  of  the 
enemy,  and  that  he  passed  through  the  lines  of  the 
enemy  at  will,  holding  an  unlimited  pass  from  Gen. 
Wra.  Nelson,  of  the  Federal  army,  granting  that 
privilege — this  in  the  vicinity  of  Corinth,  Mississippi, 
in '6 1-2. 

"  Witnesses — Wallace,  Ferdinand  Woodruff,  J.  B. 
Coyner,  Daniel  Barnes,  David  Hough,  — .  Williams, 
and  J.  R.  Simonson." 

I  demanded  a  copy  of  these  charges,  which  Col. 
Walter  promised  to  furnish.  He  kindly  bade  me 
good-bye,  and  left  the  prison. 

About  3  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  I  approached 
two  prisoners  who  were  heavily  ironed.  They  were 
handcuffed,  had  bands  and  chains  upon  their  ankles, 
similar  to  mine,  and  were  also  chained  together  and 
to  a  bolt  in  the  floor.  I  inquired  for  what  offence 
they  were  incarcerated.  The  prisoner  whom  I  ad- 
dressed was  a  tall  gentleman  with  a  very  intellectual 
expression  of  countenance  and  of  prepossessing  man- 
ners. He  was  pale  and  sad. 


176  TUPELO. 

"  We  are  charged  with  desertion." 

"Did  you  desert?" 

"  I  enlisted  in  the  Confederate  service  for  twelve 
months.  At  the  expiration  of  my  term  of  service  I 
asked  permission  to  return  home,  stating  that  I  had 
learned  from  a  trustworthy  source  that  my  family 
were  suffering  from  a  lack  of  the  necessaries  of  life ; 
that  they  lived  in  Tennessee,  which  is  occupied  by 
Federal  troops.  Confederate  money  there  has  no 
purchasing  power,  not  being  worth  the  paper  on 
which  it  is  printed ;  that  I  desired  to  relieve  my 
family  from  their  distress,  and  as  my  term  of  service 
had  expired,  I  demanded  my  discharge.  This  they 
refused,  stating  that  the  Confederate  congress  had 
passed  a  law  requiring  all  soldiers  who  had  enlisted 
for  any  term,  however  short,  to  be  held  to  service 
during  the  war,  and  that  all  who  left  before  its  close 
would  be  considered  guilty  of  desertion,  and  if 
arrested  would  be  shot.  Regarding  the  law  as  a 
tyrannical  enactment,  aud  of  no  binding  force,  I  at- 
tempted to  return  to  my  family,  but  was  arrested  and 
committed  to  this  prison." 

"What  will  be  your  fate? " 

"  I  don't  know,  but  fear  the  worst.  At  our  trial 
Gen.  Bragg  said  some  salutary  examples  must  be 
made  to  deter  soldiers  from  deserting,  or  the  army 
would  waste  away  as  snow  before  the  bright  beams 
of  the  vernal  sun.  His  bile  and  bitterness  over- 
flowed in  acrimonious  invectives." 

The  other  prisoner's  statement  was  a  perfect  coun- 
terpart of  his  comrade's. 


TUPELO.  177 

The  first  was  named  Melville  Baillie,  of  Raleigh, 
Tennessee,  and  the  other  Polk  Childress,  of  Hickory 
Wythe,  Tenn.  Their  friend,  Parley  Van  Horn,  of 
Colliersville,  Tenn.,  they  left  sick  at  the  home  of  his 
cousin,  Felix  Grundy  Ayres,  in  Byhalia,  Miss.,  who 
thus  escaped.  I  left  them  and  walked  to  the  oppo- 
site side  of  the  prison,  when  I  observed  a  file  of  sol- 
diers drawn  up  in  front  of  the  prison.  Two  officers 
entered,  and  walking  up  to  the  prisoners  with  whom 
I  had  just  been  conversing,  unfastened  their  chains, 
and  ordered  them  to  follow.  As  the  officers  passed 
Capt.  Bruce,  he  asked,  "  What  are  you  going  to  do 
with  these  men  ?  "  "  Going  to  shoot  them,"  was  the 
reply.  They  then  showed  him  the  warrant  for  their 
execution,  having  written  across  it  in  red  letters, 
"  condemned  to  death."  When  the  prisoners  reached 
the  door,  the  file  of  soldiers  separated,  received  the 
prisoners  into  the  space  in  their  midst,  marched 
them  across  the  railroad,  and  shot  them. 

Thus  was  perpetrated  an  act  of  cruel  tyranny  that 
cries  loudly  to  heaven  for  vengeance.  T\vo  families, 
helpless  and  destitute,  were  thus  each  deprived  of  its 
head,  upon  whom  they  were  dependent  for  support, 
and  abandoned  to  the  cold  charity  of  a  selfish  world. 
The  wages  earned  by  a  year's  service  in  behalf  01' 
the  wicked,  cruel,  and  vindictive  Confederate  states, 
was  an  ignominious  death  and  a  dishonored  grave. 
The  widow  and  the  fatherless  cry  to  heaven  for  ven- 
geance, and  their  cries  have  entered  into  the  ears  of 
the  Lord  of  Sabaoth. 

12 


178  TUPELO. 

The  judge  advocate  of  the  army,  Col.  H.  "W. 
Walter,  returned  to  the  prison  and  called  iny  name. 
I  speedily  confronted  him.  He  brought  a  copy  of 
the  charges  preferred  against  me. 

He  said  :  "  My  wife  feels  a  deep  interest  in  you. 
She  is  very  anxious  in  some  way  to  secure  your 
acquittal.  I  received  a  letter  from  her  to-day,  a  por- 
tion of  which  I  will  read  you :  l  Mr.  Aughey's  many 
friends  in  Holly  Springs,  and  I  am  of  the  number, 
earnestly  request  you  to  do  all  you  can  for  his  re- 
lease, that  will  comport  with  the  interests  of  our 
government.  Remember  that  he  is  a  minister 
of  the  gospel,  and  deserves  all  the  courtesy,  con- 
sideration, and  kind  treatment  due  to  one  who  has 
faithfully  and  zealously  fulfilled  his  high  calling  in 
our  immediate  vicinity — at  Waterford  and  Spring 
Creek.  Our  dear  friend,  Mrs.  Louis  Thompson,  has 
a  mother's  affection  for  him,  and  will  visit  him  if 
permitted,  that  she  may  minister  to  his  comfort  and 
intercede  for  his  release.  He  has  often  been  our 
guest  and  has  ever  deported  himself  as  a  Christian 
gentleman,  sans  peur  et  sans  reproche,'  etc." 

He  informed  me  that  my  trial  had  been  deferred 
until  Monday.  He  said,  "You  will  be  tried  on 
Monday  and  hanged  on  Tuesday  at  2  o'clock  P.M." 

"Colonel,  if  my  death  is  a  foregone  conclusion,  you 
may  as  well  reverse  the  order,  and  hang  me  on  Mon- 
day and  try  me  on  Tuesday." 

"  I  have  examined  the  testimony  against  you.  I 
know  the  intention  of  the  officers.  Your  own  ad- 


TUPELO.  179 

missions  are  sufficient  to  condemn  you.  It  is  my 
duty  as  judge  advocate  to  do  all  I  can  for  the  pris- 
oner, and  as  a  friend  I  would  take  pleasure  in 
securing  your  acquittal,  if  that  result  would  comport 
with  the  interests  and  safety  of  the  Confederate 
states.  But  you  have  done  us  all  the  harm  you 
could.  "Winfrey  and  Armstrong,  young  soldiers 
from  Choctaw  county,  have  informed  me  all  about 
your  seditious  language  and  conduct  while  pastor  of 
churches  down  there.  They  will  appear  against  you. 
The  full  extent  of  the  injury  you  have  done  our 
cause  in  North  Mississippi  can  only  be  conjectured, 
but  it  was  to  the  extent  of  your  ability  and  oppor- 
tunity. "Woodruff,  Barnes,  Crossland,  Capt.  George, 
David  Hough,  Wallace,  and  J.  B.  Coyner,  have 
given  sufficient  testimony  to  Gens.  Bragg,  Beaure- 
gard,  Jordan,  and  Price,  of  your  treasonable  exploits 
to  fill  a  volume.  At  one  time  Gen  Bragg  became  so 
angry  at  the  recital  of  your  Norman  Bridge  feat, 
that  he  came  near  ordering  a  detail  to  hang  you  at 
once,  without  the  forms  or  farce  of  a  trial.  And  he 
would  have  done  so,  only  Gen.  Sterling  Price  inter- 
posed and  insisted  that  as  you  were  a  minister  of  the 
gospel  the  right  thing  to  do  was  to  give  you  a  fair 
and  impartial  trial.  As  you  were  chained  and 
closely  guarded  in  the  very  midst  of  this  great  army, 
escape  was  not  possible,  and  a  few  days'  respite  could 
not  by  any  possibility  injure  the  Southern  Confeder- 
acy. Gen.  Jordan,  who  is  Beauregard's  chief  of  staff, 
declared  that  he  ordered  and  inspected  the  ironing, 


180  TUPELO. 

and  that  he  would  vouch  for  the  security  of  the 
prisoner,  for  a  few  days  at  least.  At  another  time, 
when  Dr.  Crossland  recounted  your  insolence  to 
Gen.  Pfeiffer,  at  Brooksville,  Gen.  Bragg  could 
scarcely  restrain  his  wrath,  and  was  upon  the  point 
of  ordering  your  immediate  execution.  He  thought 
Gen.  Pfeiffer  did  wrong  to  allow  you  to  express 
treasonable  sentiments  and  to  denounce  the  Confeder- 
ate cause.  Your  execution  will  be  as  conspicuous  as 
possible.  It  will  take  place  in  the  presence  of  two 
brigades,  composed  of  soldiers,  many  of  whom  are 
personally  acquainted  with  you.  There  are  many 
Unionists  up  there  in  North-eastern  Mississippi,  and 
a  salutary  example  will  not  be  lost  on  them.  Some 
of  them  are  in  our  army  here  perforce,  and  will  wit- 
ness an  execution  suggestive  of  their  own  fate  if  they 
should  be  guilty  of  treasonable  language  or  conduct. 
Your  crimes  will  be  read  to  them  and  commented 
on  by  Major  General  Hardee,  if  present,  or  Gen. 
Mark  Lowrey,  in  case  of  his  absence." 

"Colonel,  I  am  a  civilian.  What  right  have  they 
to  try  me  by  military  law.  The  civil  court  has  juris- 
diction, and  not  a  court-martial." 

"All  citizens  of  the  Confederate  States  between 
18  and  35  have  been  declared  in  the  army,  by  con- 
gressional enactment,  and  have  been  required  to  re- 
port themselves  at  the  head-quarters  of  the  com- 
mander of  the  nearest  military  district  within  a  given 
time,  or  be  considered  deserters.  Have  you  com- 
plied with  this  law?" 


TUPELO.  181 

"No,  I  have  not.  You  have  furnished  me  a  copy 
of  the  charges  against  me,  with  the  specifications. 
Desertion  is  not  one  of  the  charges." 

"No,  there  are  charges  enough  without  that.  I 
only  mention  it  to  show  you  that  that  enactment 
gives  military  jurisdiction  over  all  citizens  of  military 
age.  All  your  interests  are  with  the  South.  It  is 
your  adopted  home,  though  like  myself  you  are  of 
northern  birth.  Why  did  you  not  cast  in  your 
lot  with  the  dominant  class,  for  whose  society  you 
are  fitted  by  literary  culture,  and  not  with  that  class 
which  is  giving  us  so  great  trouble,  and  whose  trea- 
sonable utterances  and  acts  we  must  suppress  with  an 
iron  hand.  Our  own  safety  requires  that  we  tolerate 
no  longer  the  traitors  in  our  midst.  We  must  con- 
fiscate their  property  and  exterminate  them  as  we 
would  venomous  serpents." 

"Jefferson  Davis,  in  his  inaugural  address,  quoting 
from  the  Declaration  of  Independence,  declares  that 
when  governments  become  destructive  to  the  ends 
for  which  they  were  established  it  is  the  right  of  the 
people  to  alter  or  abolish  them.  Was  it  the  end  for 
which  our  government  was  established  to  foster  the 
interests  of  human  slavery?  If  so,  and  you  deem  it 
right  to  protect  those  interests,  go  and  fight  in  their 
defence,  but  do  not  endeavor  to  compel  me  and  the 
great  majority  of  the  southern  people  who  own  no 
slaves  to  fight  for  your  interests,  and  to  become  the 
foes  of  a  government  that  has  never  trespassed  upon 
our  rights,  a  government  which  has  no  superior 


182  TUPELO. 

upon  the  face  of  the  earth.  You  may  murder  me, 
but  you  cannot  murder  the  government.  If  I  had 
a  thousand  lives  I  would  gladly  lay  them  all  upon 
the  altar  of  my  bleeding  country." 

"  Parson,  recanting  your  opinions  would  not  save 
you  now.  You  have  forfeited  your  life,  and  I  will 
not  insult  you  by  characterizing  your  crimes  by  their 
true  names." 

"Who  said  anything  about  recanting?  I  have 
no  desire  to  recant  truthful  principles.  You  may 
express  your  opinion  of  my  crimes,  if  you  wish,  and 
give  their  true  names." 

"Well,  your  crimes  are,  treason,  enacting  the  spy, 
base  ingratitude  to  your  benefactors,  and  those  who 
have  heretofore  reposed  confidence  in  you,  by  siding 
with  their  enemies." 

"Colonel,  I  have  given  a  fair  equivalent  for  all 
that  I  have  received,  and  I  have  injured  no  one  wit- 
tingly, in  person,  property,  or  reputation.  My 
present  condition  indicates  that  the  ingratitude  is  all 
upon  the  other  side.  I  have  labored  faithfully  for 
eleven  years  to  promote  the  intellectual  and  moral 
and  religious  interests  of  the  southern  people,  and 
they  thus  repay  me  with  bonds  and  imprisonment, 
and  they  intend  to  pay  the  last  installment  by  put- 
ting me  to  an  ignominious  death  on  the  scaffold." 

"Parson,  I  will  call  to-morrow,  and  should  you 
have  any  requests  to  make,  such  as  conveying  mes- 
sages to  friends,  disposition  of  property,  or  benefit 
of  clergy  at  your  execution,  I  will  fulfill  them  for 
you." 


TUPELO.  1 83 

"  I  would  be  glad  to  have  Rev.  James  A.  Lyon, 
D.D.,  of  Columbus,  to  be  present  at  my  execution,  also 
Rev.  James  Pelan,  of  Macon." 

"I  will  telegraph  them  at  once." 

"  I  will  prepare  messages  for  my  wife  and  other 
friends  by  to-morrow  evening." 

"  I  will  secure  their  delivery  at  the  earliest  possible 
moment." 

"Thanks,  Colonel." 

Soon  after  Col.  Walter  left,  Col.  Clare  came  in 
and  asked  me  whether  I  had  been  president  of  a 
female  college  in  Rienzi.  I  replied  in  the  affirma- 
tive. 

"'Tis  strange,"  said  he,  "that  one  who  has  been 
so  favored,  and  one  who  has  accumulated  property 
in  the  South,  should  prove  a  traitor  to  his  adopted 
country  and  become  its  enemy." 

I  replied  that  I  had  given  a  fair  equivalent  for 
every  dollar  I  had  obtained  from  the  citizens  of  the 
South;  that  for  eleven  years  I  had  labored  faithfully 
as  an  educator  and  minister  of  the  gospel  to  promote 
the  educational,  moral,  and  spiritual  interests  of  the 
southern  people  in  the  states  of  Kentucky,  Tennessee, 
Louisiana,  and  Mississippi,  and  that  now  I  was  receiv- 
ing my  reward  by  being  chained,  starved,  and  insulted, 
and  that  they  intended  soon  to  pay  the  last  installment 
by  putting  me  to  death  ignominiously  on  the  scaffold. 
I  denied  being  an  enemy  to  my  country  or  to  the 
South,  I  regarded  those  who  would  promote  divisions 
and  overthrow  the  government  as  the  real  enemies 


]  84  TUPELO. 

of  the  South  who  were  imperiling  all  her  best  inter- 
ests. If  my  advice  had  been  followed  the  South 
and  the  whole  country  would  now  be  enjoying  its 
wonted  peace  and  unparalleled  prosperity,  and  would 
not  have  suffered  "W.  L.  Yancey  and  other  dema- 
gogues to  precipitate  a  desolating  and  ruinous 
revolution. 

He  replied,  "  Ingrate,  traitor,  wretch,  I  have  no 
sympathy  for  you."  He  then  called  upon  all  the 
supernal  and  infernal  powers  to  blast  my  soul  in 
everlasting  death  and  confine  it  forever  in  fiery 
torments. 

The  prison  walls  echoed  and  re-echoed  his  blatant 
blasphemy.  The  prisoners  stood  aghast,  and  with 
faces  blanched  with  fear  for  my  safety,  plucked  me 
away  and  crowded  the  space  between  me  and  this 
vile  blasphemer,  who,  with  hand  upon  the  hilt  of 
his  sword  and  pistol  belt  alternately,  seemed  ready 
to  wreak  his  vengeance  upon  me. 

At  this  moment  Major  Irion  entered,  and  was  in- 
formed by  this  minion  of  Jeff  Davis  that  he  had  re- 
lieved his  mind  by  giving  me  a  "good  cussen." 
He  left  the  prison  with  this  officer,  cursing  as  he 
went. 

Perhaps  I  should  have  been  more  circumspect — 
more  reticent,  and  thus  prevented  this  outpouring  of 
the  vials  of  Confederate  wrath  by  this  cursing 
Shimei. 

At  this  moment  Gen.  Braxton  Bragg  and  several 
officers  of  high  rank  entered.  A  distinguished 


TUPELO.  185 

French  officer  was  visiting  this  country  on  a  tour  of 
inspection.  He  desired  to  visit  this  prison,  and  this 
was  the  occasion  of  their  visit.  When  they  came  to 
the  place  where  I  was  standing,  Gen.  Bragg  said, 
"  This  man  dies  on  Tuesday  next." 

"  What  is  his  offence?"  inquired  the  officer. 

"  He  is  a  prisoner  of  state,  and  is  guilty  of  treason." 

"Are  they  all  state  prisoners  in  this  prison?" 

"All  except  a  few  prisoners  of  war,  who  will  be 
removed  to  Macon,  Ga.,  in  a  few  days." 

"  This  is  a  bastile,  I  suppose,  but  what  has  this 
prisoner  done?" 

"  What  has  he  not  done,  would  be  a  more  perti- 
nent question.  He  has  thrown  all  the  influence  of 
his  official  position  as  a  minister  of  the  gospel  into 
the  scale  of  opposition  against  our  government." 

"  He  is  a  minister,  then  ?" 

"Yes,  a  Presbyterian  minister,  of  Northern  birth 
and  education." 

"Ministers  are  usually  regarded  as  non-com- 
batants." 

"Yes,  but  by  word  and  deed  and  sermon  and  pen 
and  every  species  of  treasonable  act  and  utterance,  he 
has  done  our  cause  infinite  harm.  He  is  far  from 
being  a  non-combatant." 

"What  is  his  name?"     [Producing  a  note-book]. 

"  He  spells  his  name  A-u-g-h-e-y.  I  am  not  sure 
of  its  pronunciation." 

"  O,  yes,  General,  I  recognize  that  name  as  of 
French  origin.  We  have  the  name  in  France — a 


186  TUPELO. 

family  of  Huguenots.  Many  of  that  family  were 
banished  because  of  their  opposition  to  the  religious 
traditions  of  our  empire,  and  some  of  them,  after  the 
revocation  of  the  edict  of  Nantes,  fled  to  the  British 
Islands,  and  to  Germany  and  Holland,  to  avoid  the 
penalty  affixed  to  disobeying  the  ecclesiastical  regula- 
tions of  our  country.  He  comes  by  his  refractory 
opinions  and  conduct  legitimately." 

Gen.  Bragg  is  a  cadaverous,  plain-looking  man. 
He  has  bushy  black  eyebrows  and  piercing  eyes.  He 
stoops  slightly  in  walking,  and  his  stubby  iron-gray 
beard  and  his  receding  forehead  give  him  a  plebeian 
look.  He  is  cruel  as  the  grave.  Nearly  every  day 
he  shoots  some  of  his  own  soldiers,  often  for  trivial 
offences.  Cruelty  is  plainly  written  in  indelible  char- 
acters upon  every  lineament  of  his  features,  which 
are  stern  and  almost  savage  in  their  expression. 

After  a  thorough  inspection  of  the  prison  our  dis- 
tinguished visitors  retired. 

I  approached  two  elderly,  gray-haired  men,  who 
sat  in  the  north-west  corner  of  the  prison.  These  old 
gentlemen  had  become  fast  friends,  and  wept  at  the 
thought  of  their  bleeding  country's  woes,  brought  on 
by  designing,  scheming  politicians  (not  statesmen)  in 
the  interests  of  an  institution  subversive  of  all  the 
inalienable  rights  of  man.  They  gave  me  their 
history.  The  older  gentleman,  John  Champe,  was 
the  youngest  son  of  a  revolutionary  sire.  His  father 
had  been  chosen  by  AYasn'ngt°n  to  effect  the  capture 
of  Benedict  Arnold  after  his  treason,  so  as  to  save 


TUPELO.  187 

the  life  of  Major  Andre1.  This,  because  of  untoward 
circumstances,  he  could  not  accomplish.  But  the 
effort  was  a  gallant  and  heroic  one,  and  merited  and 
received  high  commendation  from  Gen.  Washington. 
This  is  his  story  : 

"I  resided  in  Tuscumbia,  Ala.  I  had  four  sous-. 
Three  of  them  had  joined  the  Federal  army.  One 
night  an  attack  was  made  on  my  house.  My  young- 
est son  and  I  defended  ourselves,  but  after  killing 
four  of  our  assailants,  they  burst  in  the  door.  We 
fled  by  the  back  door,  and  endeavored  to  reach  the 
Federal  lines.  A  company  pursued  us  with  blood- 
hounds. They  overtook  us.  We  fought  with  des- 
peration. We  killed  five  hounds  and  four  of  the 
soldiers.  We  expended  all  our  ammunition.  We 
were  both  severely  wounded.  They  hung  my  son  to 
the  limb  of  a  tree,  and  left  the  body  to  be  devoured 
by  the  birds  of  prey.  They  put  me  in  irons  and 
brought  me  here.  Why  they  spared  my  life  I  know 
not.  The  surgeon  informs  me  that  my  wound  in  the 
breast  will  prove  fatal  in  a  short  time.  It  gives  me 
great  pain.  I  would  like  much  to  see  my  aged  wife, 
who,  alone  and  surrounded  by  bitter  foes,  is  mourn- 
ing our  absence." 

The  other  said  :  "  My  name  is  Carter  Braxton.  I 
was  named  for  my  grandfather,  a  signer  of  the  Dec- 
laration of  Independence.  My  home  is  in  Obion 
county,  Tenn.  My  four  sons  are  all  in  the  Federal 
army.  This  is  the  cause  of  my  imprisonment.  They 
asked  me  if  I  were  a  Unionist,  and  I  replied  that  it 


188  TUPELO. 

was  a  principle  of  law  that  no  one  was  bound  to 
criminate  himself.  I  have  had  my  trial.  They 
proved  that  I  had  refused  to  take  Confederate  money, 
that  I  have  traded  with  the  Yankees,  that  my  four 
sons  were  in  the  Federal  army,  that  I  was  not  a 
slaveholder,  that  I  refused  to  take  the  oath  of  allegi- 
ance to  the  Confederate  states,  that  after  the  reduction 
of  Fort  Donaldson  I  had  told  one  George  Sarbaugh 
that  it  would  take  more  than  one  Southerner  to  whip 
five  Yankees." 

While  he  was  yet  speaking,  the  officer  entered,  and 
this  old  gentleman  and  a  prisoner  named  Jason  Che- 
nault  were  unchained  and  marched  to  the  fatal  plat 
and  shot.  Chenault  was  a  Kentucky  Unionist,  who 
had  come  to  Mississippi  to  collect  money  due  him  for 
mules  sold  the  year  before.  He  was  arrested,  charged 
with  enacting  the  spy,  found  guilty,  and  shot.  I 
might  record  the  sad  fate  of  Nicholas  Vedder,  Bynum, 
Sorrell,  and  OsMrald,  all  shot  at  the  same  time,  for 
avowed  Unionism,  but  space  is  wanting.  I  may 
place  upon  permanent  record  in  the  near  future  the 
biographies  of  these  and  other  martyrs  to  the  holy 
cause  of  our  country's  integrity  imperiled  by  traitors. 

I  preached  every  evening.  One  evening  my  text 
was  I.  Kings  xviii.  21  :  "How  long  halt  ye  between 
two  opinions."  As  none  of  us  had  a  hymn  book,  I 
composed  these  hymns  for  the  occasion.  I  parceled 
them  out  by  couplets,  and  all  joined  in  the  singing: 

How  long  !  O,  sinner,  wilt  thou  halt, 
How  long!  remain  in  guilty  doubt. 


TUPELO.  189 

While  heaven  and  earth  and  air  and  sea 

The  Lord  is  God,  responsive  shout. 
"Whilst  thou  arrt  halting,  sin  grows  strong, 

And  lust  and  passion  rule  thy  soul, 
And  all  the  powers  of  hell  combined 

Still  hold  thee  'neath  their  stern  control. 
O,  sinner,  choose  in  this  thy  day 

To  serve  the  Lord  who  loves  thee  well, 
Oh  !  choose  to  walk  in  wisdom's  way 

And  break  thy  league  with  death  and  hell. 
Then  will  the  host  of  heaven  rejoice, 

Then  will  the  powers  of  darkness  rage, 
But  thou,  a  soldier  of  the  cross, 

Wilt  a  successful  warfare  wage. 
And  when  the  glorious  victory's  won, 

Thou  wilt  a  king,  a  conqueror  be, 
Wear  on  thy  brow  a  diadem, 

And  have  a  right  to  life's  fair  tree. 

HYMX   AFTER  SERMON. 

Spirit  of  the  living  God, 
Water  now  the  precious  seed, 
Slay  the  sinner  with  Thy  sword, 
Comfort  to  Thy  saints  afford. 
Satan,  like  the  birds  of  prey, 
Strives  to  catch  the  seed  away, 
Cares  in  countless  numbers  come, 
Shines  with  scorching  heat  the  sun. 
Thus  we  see  our  Savior's  foes 
Strive  to  blast  the  seed  he  sows. 
In  the  hearts  of  young  and  old, 
Prosper  it,  a  hundred  fold. 
Holy  Spirit,  Father,  Son, 
Aid  us  till  our  work  is  done; 
Then,  instead  of  worthless  leaves, 
We  shall  bring  our  precious  sheaves. 


190  TUPELO. 

Two  young  men,  John  N.  Maple,  of  Verona, 
Miss.,  and  Samuel  Melvin,  of  Tallaloosa,  Miss.,  the 
former  a  Primitive  Baptist,  the  latter  a  Methodist, 
held  a  discussion  on  the  doctrine  of  foreordination. 
Some  point  in  my  sermon  occasioned  it.  They  both 
appeared  to  believe  in  the  doctrine,  since  the  term 
was  used  in  the  Bible.  Melvin  said  the  decrees  of 
God  were  founded  upon  His  foreknowledge.  In  the 
case  of  Paul,  God  foresaw  all  the  contingencies  and 
knew  because  of  His  prescience  how  they  would 
eventuate,  and  based  His  decree  that  Paul  should 
stand  before  Csesar  upon  that  foreknowledge.  Maple 
affirmed  that  God  knew  that  Paul  would  stand  be- 
fore Caesar  because  He  had  decreed  it.  That  He  did 
not  stand  aside  an  indifferent  spectator  to  observe 
how  affairs  would  result,  and  then  decree  that  they 
should  take  place,  as  He  foresaw  they  would  happen 
anyhow.  That  all  that  God  does  in  time  He  always 
intended  to  do,  and  all  that  wicked  men  do  He 
always  intended  to  suffer  or  permit  them  to  do.  He 
would  allow  them  to  do  wickedly  in  the  exercise  of 
the  freedom  of  their  will,  only  so  far  as  He  chose  to 
overrule  their  wickedness  for  the  promotion  of  His 
declarative  glory,  and  the  remainder  of  wrath  He 
would  restrain.  Beyond  the  boundary  of  His  will 
He  would  hem  them  in  by  His  providence,  and  say, 
so  far  shalt  thou  go  and  no  farther.  Foreordination 
is  founded  upon  the  will  of  God,  and  not  upon  His 
foreknowledge  of  what  man  will  do  or  what  He 
foresees  will  happen.  At  the  close  of  their  debate 


TUPELO.  191 

it  was  found  that  neither  had  convinced  the  other  of 
his  error,  nor  any  one  else. 

A  man  of  Herculean  frame,  whose  height  was  six 
feet  eight  inches,  occupied  the  space  on  the  floor  next 
to  mine  as  sleeping  quarters.  This  space  he  called 
his  dormitory.  He  gave  me  his  history  thus: 

"  I  am  a  native  of  East  Tennessee.  I  was  born  in 
Tellico  Plains,  Monroe  Co.,  measurably  brought  up 
in  Conasauga,  Polk  Co.  I  married  Miss  Tennie 
Paden,  bought  a  farm  near  Dandridge,  of  one  Geo. 
Cogsil,  and  moved  on  it  in  the  year  1860.  My  own 
name  is  Hermon  Bledsoe.  I  M'as  chosen  a  delegate 
to  the  mass  convention  of  Unionists,  held  June  17, 
1861,  in  Greenville,  Tennessee,  to  protest  against  the 
tyranny  inaugurated  over  us  by  the  rebel  authorities. 
I  was  a  member  of  the  committee  which  prepared  the 
following  address,  which  was  adopted  by  the  conven- 
tion with  entire  unanimity.  We  first  detailed  the 
facts  of  the  election,  how  in  Middle  and  West  Tennes- 
see the  people  were  overawed,  bullied,  persecuted  into 
an  adoption  of  the  ordinance ;  how  the  secessionists 
had  prepared  for  the  furtherance  of  their  schemes, 
though  the  state  had  voted  No  Separation ;  how  no 
provision  was  made  for  examining  the  returns  other- 
wise than  by  a  disunion  governor,  whose  hold  on 
power  depended  upon  the  success  of  the  secession  pro- 
gram; how  volunteers  in  the  secession  army  were 
allowed  to  vote  within  and  icithout  the  state,  contrary 
to  any  law;  how  discussion  was  forbidden  in  those 
sections  where  the  secession  vote  was  triumphant, 


192  TUPELO. 

while  every  Union  paper  there  was  crashed  out ;  how 
a  military  despotism  was  ruling  in  spite  of  the  wishes 
and  rights  of  the  people.  The  address  then  went  on 
to  say,  in  behalf  of  the  loyal  Unionist  majority: 

"'We  prefer  to  remain  attached  to  the  Government 
of  our  fathers.  The  Constitution  of  the  United 
States  has  done  us  no  wrong.  The  congress  of  the 
United  States  has  passed  no  law  to  oppress  us.  The 
president  of  the  United  States  has  made  no  threat 
against  the  law  abiding  people  of  Tennessee.  Under 
the  Government  of  the  United  States  we  have  enjoyed, 
as  a  nation,  more  of  civil  and  religious  freedom  than 
any  other  people  under  the  whole  heaven.  We  be- 
lieve that  there  is  no  cause  for  secession  nor  rebellion 
on  the  part  of  the  people  of  Tennessee.  None  was 
assigned  by  the  legislature  in  their  miscalled  declara- 
tion of  independence.  No  adequate  cause  can  be  as- 
signed. The  select  committee  of  that  body  asserted 
a  gross  and  inexcusable  falsehood  in  their  address  to 
the  people  of  Tennessee,  when  they  declared  that  the 
Government  of  the  United  States  had  made  war  upon 
them. 

( '  The  secession  cause  has  thus  far  been  sustained 
by  deception  and  falsehood,  by  falsehood  as  to  the 
action  of  congress;  by  false  dispatches  as  to  bat- 
tles that  were  never  fought  and  victories  that  were 
never  won ;  by  false  accounts  as  to  the  purpose  of 
the  president;  by  false  representations  as  to  the  views 
of  Union  men  ;  and  by  false  pretenses  as  to  the  facil- 
ity with  which  the  secession  troops  would  take  pos- 


TUPELO.  19-J 

session  of  the  capital  and  capture  the  highest  officers 
of  the  Government.  The  cause  of  secession  or  rebell- 
ion has  no  charms  for  us,  and  its  progress  has  been 
marked  by  the  most  alarming  and  dangerous  attacks 
upon  the  public  liberty.  In  other  states,  as  well  as 
our  own,  its  whole  course  threatens  to  annihilate  the 
last  vestige  of  freedom.  While  peace  and  prosperity 
have  blest  us  in  the  Government  of  the  United  States, 
the  following  may  be  enumerated  as  some  of  the 
fruits  of  secession. 

" '  It  was  urged  forward  by  members  of  congress 
who  had  sworn  to  support  the  Constitution  of  the 
United  States,  and  were  themselves  supported  by  the 
Government ;  it  was  effected  without  consultation 
with  all  the  states  interested  in  the  slavery  question, 
and  without  exhausting  peaceable  remedies.  It  has 
plunged  the  country  into  civil  war,  paralyzed  our 
commerce,  interfered  with  the  whole  trade  and  busi- 
ness of  our  country,  lessened  the  value  of  our  prop- 
erty, destroyed  many  of  the  pursuits  of  life,  and  bids 
fair  to  involve  the  whole  nation  in  irretrievable 
bankruptcy  and  ruin.  It  has  changed  the  entire  re- 
lations of  states,  and  adopted  constitutions  without 
submitting  them  to  a  vote  of  the  people,  and  where 
such  a  vote  has  been  authorized,  it  has  been  upon  the 
condition  prescribed  by  Senator  Mason,  of  Virginia, 
that  those  who  voted  the  Union  ticket  must  leave  the 
state.  It  has  advocated  a  constitutional  monarchy,  a 
king,  and  a  dictator,  and  is,  through  the  Richmond 
press,  at  this  moment  recommending  to  the  conven- 
13 


194  TUPELO. 

tion  in  Virginia  a  restriction  of  the  right  of  suffrage, 
and  in  severing  connection  with  the  Yankees,  to 
abolish  every  vestige  of  resemblance  to  the  institut- 
ions of  that  detested  race.  It  has  formed  military 
leagues,  passed  military  bills,  and  opened  the  door 
for  oppressive  taxation,  without  consulting  the  peo- 
ple, and  then,  in  mockery  of  a  free  election,  has  re- 
quired them  by  their  votes  to  sanction  its  usurpations, 
under  the  penalty  of  moral  proscription  or  at  the 
point  of  the  bayonet.  It  has  offered  a  premium  for 
crime  in  directing  the  discharge  of  volunteers  from 
criminal  prosecutions,  and  recommending  the  judges 
not  to  hold  their  courts.  It  has  stained  our  statute 
book  with  the  repudiation  of  Northern  debts,  and  has 
greatly  violated  the  Constitution,  by  attempting 
through  its  unlawful  extension  to  destroy  the  right 
of  suffrage.  It  has  called  upon  the  people  in  the 
state  of  Georgia,  and  may  soon  require  the  people  of 
Tennessee,  to  contribute  all  their  surplus  cotton,  corn, 
wheat,  bacon,  beef,  etc.,  to  the  support  of  pretended 
governments  alike  destitute  of  money  and  credit.  It 
has  attempted  to  destroy  the  accountability  of  pub- 
lic servants  to  the  people  by  secret  legislation,  and 
set  the  obligation  of  an  oath  at  defiance.  It  has 
passed  laws  declaring  it  treason  to  say  or  do  anything 
in  favor  of  the  Government  of  the  United  States,  or 
against  the  Confederate  states,  and  such  a  law  is  now 
before,  and  we  apprehend  will  soon  be  passed  by,  the 
legislature  of  Tennessee.  It  has  attempted  to  destroy, 
and  we  fear  will  soon  utterly  prostrate,  the  freedom 


TUPELO.  195 

of  speech  and  of  the  press.  It  has  involved  the 
Southern  states  in  a  war  whose  success  is  hopeless, 
and  which  must  ultimately  lead  to  the  ruin  of  the 
people.  Its  bigoted,  overbearing,  and  intolerant 
spirit  has  already  subjected  the  people  of  East  Ten- 
nessee to  many  petty  grievances;  our  people  have 
been  insulted ;  our  flags  have  been  fired  upon  and 
torn  down ;  our  houses  have  been  rudely  entered ; 
our  families  subjected  to  insult ;  our  peaceable  meet- 
ings interrupted ;  our  women  and  children  shot  by  a 
merciless  soldiery  ;  our  towns  pillaged ;  our  citizens 
robbed  and  some  of  them  assassinated  and  murdered. 
Xo  effort  has  been  spared  to  deter  the  Union  men  of 
East  Tennessee  from  the  expression  of  their  free 
thoughts.  The  penalties  of  treason  have  been  threat- 
ened against  them,  and  murder  and  assassination  have 
been  openly  encouraged  by  leading  secession  journals. 
As  secession  has  been  thus  overbearing  and  intoler- 
ant while  in  the  minority  in  East  Tennessee,  nothing 
better  can  be  expected  of  the  pretended  majority  than 
wild,  unconstitutional,  and  oppressi  ve  legislation  ;  an 
utter  contempt  and  disregard  of  law ;  a  determination 
to  force  every  Unionist  in  the  state  to  swear  to  the 
support  of  a  constitution  he  abhors,  and  to  yield  his 
money  and  property  to  aid  a  cause  he  detests,  and  to 
become  the  object  of  scorn  and  derision  as  well  as  the 
victim  of  intolerable  and  relentless  oppression. 

"  In  view  of  these  considerations,  and  of  the  fact 
that  the  people  of  East  Tennessee  have  declared 
their  fidelity  to  the  Union  by  a  majority  of  about 


196  TUPELO. 

twenty  thousand  votes,  therefore  we  do  resolve  and 
declare/ 

"  Here  followed  a  series  of  patriotic  resolutions, 
and  the  appointment  of  a  committee  to  prepare  a 
memorial,  asking  the  consent  of  the  legislature  of 
Tennessee  to  consent  to  the  separation  of  East  Tenn- 
essee, and  those  counties  of  Middle  Tennessee  which 
desired  it,  from  the  rest  of  the  state,  that  they  may- 
be formed  into  a  separate  state. 

"  Brownlow,  Maynard,  Etheridge,  Nelson,  Hawk- 
ins, Johnson,  etc.,  led  the  Unionists.  It  was  not 
long  before  those  Unionists  and  protestants  against 
wrong  were  flying  for  their  lives,  and  were  hunted 
down  like  wild  beasts.  The  leaders  disappeared 
from  observation,  and  the  people  could  only  become 
quiescent  in  a  state  of  affairs  which,  in  the  presence 
of  the  armed  minions  of  the  Southern  Confederacy, 
they  were  powerless  to  prevent. 

"  I  was  placed  on  the  proscribed  list,  and  was  com- 
pelled to  hide,  in  a  cavern  with  other  Unionists. 
One  night  I  visited  my  family,  which  consisted  of 
my  wife  and  twin  babes,  Mark  and  Paul.  A  band 
of  guerrillas,  lying  in  ambush  in  the  chaparral  near  my 
residence,  surrounded  the  house,  and  rushing  through 
the  door,  which  for  the  moment  I  had  forgotten  to 
fasten,  took  me  prisoner.  They  searched  my  person 
and  found  several  copies  of  the  address  above  given, 
and  some  letters  in  a  drawer,  which  were  construed 
unfavorably  by  these  cruel  men.  They  handcuffed 
me  and  took  me  to  the  chaparral  copse.  They  held 


TUPELO.  197 

a  brief  trial,  which  resulted  in  my  conviction  and 
condemnation    to    death.     Immediate    preparations 
were  made  for 'my  execution.     Douglas    Flinn  de- 
clared that  hanging  was  too  good  for  such  a  wretch 
as  I.     Jim  Bainbridge  coincided  with  him  in  opin- 
ion.    '  What  do  you   want   done   with   him  ? '  said 
Bob.  Torrence,  who  commanded  the  gang.     ( Let  us 
burn  him  at  the  stake,  like  Col.  Brown's  Sam  last 
week,  for  assaulting  a  white  girl.'     l  All  right,'  said 
Torrence.     { All  in  favor  of  burning  this  d — d  ren- 
egade, this  Lincolnite,  this  tory  and  traitor,  say  aye.' 
A  vociferous  aye  resounded.  '  All  opposed,  no.'  Only 
two  voices  responded  in  the  negative.     Sam  Lovell 
took  off  the  handcuffs  and  bound  me  to  a  sapling 
with  the  rope  with  which  they  had  intended  to  hang 
me.     The  trial  had  begun  in  the  gloaming,  and  now 
darkness  had  enshrouded   all  the  land.     Flinn  ran 
and  gathered  an  armful  of  dry  sticks  and  deposited 
them  in  a  pile  at  my  feet.     Soon  many  were  engaged 
in  gathering  fagots.     Flinn  declared  that  this  was 
the  happiest  night  of  his  existence.     He  would  soon 
have  the  pleasure   of  seeing   this   miserable   traitor 
going  up  like  Elijah  in  a  chariot  of  fire.     '  So  mote 
it  be,'  growled  Jacob  Embry,  in  a  sepulchral  tone. 
George  Goshen,  Peter  Peters,  and  J.  B.  Coyner  were 
dispatched  to  Aunt  Sylvia  Caldwell's  for  a  firebrand 
with  which  to  ignite  the  pile  of  fagots.    I  commended 
my  soul  to  God  and  calmly  awaited  death.     Flinn 
approached  me  with  a  pile  of  (as  he  said)  very  dry 
wood.     He  approached  quite  near,  and  dropping  the 


198  TUPELO. 

fagots  he  placed  a  knife  handle  between  my  teeth. 
The  large  blade  of  the  knife  was  open.  He  then 
ran  to  and  mounted  a  stump  about  fifty  yards  dis- 
tant, and  commenced  to  deliver  a  harangue  laudatory 
of  the  Southern  Confederacy,  and  denouncing  all 
traitors,  wishing  them  in  the  bottom  of  the  lowest 
hell. 

"With  some  effort  I  managed  to  sever  the  cord  bind- 
ing my  wrists.  I  then  cut  the  cord  bound  around 
my  waist,  and  quietly  and  quickly  made  my  escape. 
The  crowd  around  Flinn,  who  was  doubtless  a 
Unionist  in  disguise,  were  cheering  vociferously, 
which  aided  my  escape,  as  the  noise  drowned  the 
crackling  of  the  fagots  as  I  removed  or  trampled 
upon  them  on  the  farther  side  from  the  stump  orator 
and  his  auditors.  Soon  the  men  with  the  fire  ar- 
rived and  applied  it  to  the  heap  around  the  sapling. 
Looking  back  from  a  hill  about  two  miles  distant  I 
saw  the  flames  rising  higher  and  higher,  till  a  large 
space  was  illuminated.  Suddenly  I  heard  fierce  yells 
of  disappointment  and  rage,  emanating  from  the 
throats  of  this  infuriated  and  disappointed  crowd  of 
demons  incarnate,  maddened  to  frenzy  by  my  escape. 
I  traveled  by  night,  but  lay  concealed  during  the 
day. 

"  When  in  hiding  near  Siluria,  Shelby  county, 
Alabama,  I  heard  the  sound  of  a  Wood-chopper's  ax, 
quite  near,  and  peering  from  the  copse  in  which  I 
was  concealed,  I  saw  a  slave  at  work  felling  a  tree. 
Soon  he  began  to  declaim  a  piece : 


TUPELO.  199 

' ' '  The  hillsides  in  places  are  white  I  know, 
But  the  \vhiteness  is  not  occasioned  by  snow. 
It  is  only  the  petals  of  apples  and  cherries 
And  peaches  and  plums  and  all  sorts  of  berries, 
Just  falling  in  sport  from  their  bowers, 
As  if  to  represent  April  showers. ' 

"  '  Now/  said  he,  apparently  well  satisfied  with  his 
effort,  'Dat's  'bout  as  good  as  young  Massa 
Josiah  hisself  could  spoke  it.'  Soon  he  broke  forth 
in  song : 

" '  On  Jordan's  banks  we  stand, 

An'  Jordan's  stream  roll  by, 
Xo  bridge  de  watahs  span, 

De  flood  am  risin  high. 
Heah  it  foam  an'  roar,  de  dark  flood  tide, 
How  shel  we  cross  to  de  oder  side. 

'  De  riber  deep  an'  strong, 
De  wabes  am  bery  cole, 
We  see  it  rush  along 
~  But  who  can  venture  bole. 
Heah  it  foam  and  roar,  etc. 

'A  little  chile  step  down, 

It  go  in  de  riber  deep, 
Kin  little  feet  touch  groun' 

Whar  mountain  billows  sweep. 
Heah  it  foam  and  roar,  etc. 

'  Dere  comes  a  flash  of  light 

Ober  de  cole  dark  wabes, 
Dere  come  de  angel's  flight, — 

See,  shinin'  hands  dat  sabe, 
Prom  de  watah's  foam,  de  dark  flood  tide 
Fer  de  Lawd  hab  seen  from  de  oder  side. 


'Heah  music  swellin'  gran', 
Yes,  songs  of  welcome  ring. 


200  TUPELO. 

White  wings  de  riber  span, 

De  little  chile  to  bring. 
Den  let  old  Jordan  roar,  de  dark  flood  tide, 
We'se  borne  across  to  de  odder  side. ' 

"  I  called,  '  Halloo,  uncle  ! '  as  he  rested  for  a  mo- 
ment from  his  labor,  with  arms  akimbo.  'Who  am 
dat  calling  ? '  he  cried  out,  with  some  degree  of  trep- 
idation. As  he  looked  in  my  direction,  I  beckoned 
him  to  approach  me.  When  he  came  near  I  said, 
'To  whom  do  you  belong?  Where  do  you  live?' 
He  replied,  'I  belongs  to  Major  Cay ce, of  Talladega. 
He  bought  me  and  my  wife  of  Col.  Shorter,  of  Choc- 
colocco,  Calhoun  county,  last  year.  I  was  borned 
the  slave  of  Parson  Lagow,  of  Emuckfaw.  When  I 
wuz  six  months  old,  master  died,  an'  ole  lady  Rudisil 
bought  me  at  the  sale  fur  $500.  I  lived  wid  her  at 
Chepultepec  till  I  wuz  ten  years  old,  den  she  died, 
and  I  wuz  sold  agin  to  Gov.  Peyton  Claiborne,  of 
Sylacauga.  I'se  bin  around  sum,  but  I'se  never  bin 
but  en  the  state  of  Alabam.  I  buys  my  time  from 
my  now  master,  Major  Cayce,  for  twenty-five  dollars 
a  month.  I  lives  in  that  cabin  up  yonder  on  the 
hill.'  He  pointed  with  the  index  finger  of  his  right 
hand  to  a  cabin  almost  lost  to  sight  in  the  distance, 
nestling  among  the  trees  in  a  grove  surmounting  a 
hill  of  great  height.  He  named  it  cosy  cot,  and  the 
name  was  not  a  misnomer. 

"I  revealed  my  condition  to  this  quadroon  slave, 
and  he  and  his  kind  wife  fed  and  lodged  me  for  a 
week,  till  I  was  sufficiently  recovered  from  my 
fatigue  to  continue  my  journey. 


TUPELO.  201 

On  the  broad  highway  of  action, 

Friends  of  worth  are  far  and  few; 
But  when  one  has  proved  his  friendship, 

Cling  to  him  who  clings  to  you. 

Should  opportunity  ever  be  afforded  for  reciprocating 
the  kindness  of  this  slave  husband  and  wife,  Isam 
and  Tabitha,  I  will  gladly  avail  myself  of  it,  and  do 
them  all  the  kindness  in  my  power. 

"I  continued  my  journey,  and  with  but  little  of 
incident  or  adventure  worth  narrating,  I  at  length 
arrived  at  the  home  of  my  cousin,  Jerry  Humboldt, 
in  Selma,  Ala.  My  cousin  was  a  staunch  Unionist, 
a  stalwart,  uncompromising  friend  of  the  United 
States  government  and  the  old  flag,  the  star-spangled 
banner,  the  emblem  of  freedom  and  the  inalienable 
rights  of  man. 

"Every  day  dangers  thickened  around  us.  We 
were  compelled  to  devise  a  plan  of  escape  to  the 
Federal  lines.  Twenty-five  of  us  set  out  together, 
under  the  guidance  of  Leander  Browning.  At  Tal- 
lahatta  Springs,  Clark  county,  a  band  of  guerrillas, 
or  partisan  rangers,  as  they  called  themselves,  over- 
took us  as  we  were  camping  for  the  night.  We 
fought  them  long  and  well,  till  we  had  slain  nearly 
twice  our  number  of  our  pursuers,  then,  as  the  dark- 
ness grew  denser,  the  remnant  of  us,  wounded  and 
bleeding,  fled. 

"  I  was  captured  at  Sanwilpa,  was  taken  to  Tus- 
cahoma,  put  into  a  guard  house.  Soon  after  I  was 
conveyed  to  Pushmataha ;  thence  I  was  removed  to 


202  TUPELO. 

this  dungeon  in  Tupelo,  Miss.  I  adroitly  concealed 
my  identity,  and  though  under  violent  suspicion 
nothing  definite  was  proved  against  me.  To  save 
my  life,  I  have  agreed  to  take  the  oath  of  allegiance, 
and  join  the  rebel  army.  I  may  soon  be  able  to  de- 
sert and  reach  the  Union  lines.  My  nom  de  guerre 
is  Ralph  Benton." 

"  Have  you  any  conscientious  scruples  about  the 
propriety  of  taking  an  oath  with  the  deliberate  in- 
tention of  violating  it  ?  " 

"  Not  any.  It  may  save  my  life.  At  least  deliver 
me  from  this  prison.  Deception  is  certainly  justifi- 
able in  a  case  like  this.  The  rebels  have  violated 
every  oath  that  they  have  ever  taken.  Shall  we 
keep  faith  with  them  ?  Naught  but  Punic  faith  for 
them.  As  soon  trust  a  rattlesnake  as  a  rebel.  I 
hope  to  reach  the  Union  lines  and  offer  my  services 
to  General  Pope  as  a  volunteer  in  his  army." 

On  the  next  day  my  friend  was  permitted  to  take 
the  oath  and  enter  the  rebel  army.  He  had  several 
copies  of  the  address  concealed  about  his  person,  as 
he  thought  beyond  the  reach  of  rebel  search,  one  of 
which  he  gave  me.  I  retain  it  as  a  sacred  memento. 
A  rumor  reached  me  through  Philip  Henson,  a 
Federal  spy,  that  my  friend  was  under  violent  sus- 
picion by  the  rebels,  and  was  caught  in  his  attempt 
at  escape,  and  shot  by  order  of  Gen.  N.  B.  Forrest. 

Anent  this  rumor,  Gen.  Jefferson  C.  Davis  told  me 
that  a  soldier  in  his  command  bore  the  name  and 
answered  the  description  of  Hermon  Bledsoe ;  that 


TUPELO.  203 

he  was  a  deserter  from  the  enemy ;  that  he  was 
severely  wounded  in  a  skirmish,  and  that  his  recol- 
lection was  that  his  wound  proved  fatal. 

One  of  my  fellow-prisoners  became  suddenly  insane. 
He  frothed  at  the  mouth,  rolled  his  eyes  wildly,  and 
butted  his  head  against  the  walls  of  the  prison.  His 
paroxysms  were  very  violent  in  the  presence  of  the 
officers.  I  sat  near  him,  and  after  observing  him  for 
awhile  I  came  to  the  conclusion  that  he  was  a  malin- 
gerer. Presently  an  officer  entered,  at  that  instant 
the  crazy  man  was  seized  with  another  paroxysm. 
He  became  very  violent.  The  officer  watched  him 
for  Some  time  and  then  said,  "  We  must  remove  him 
to  the  hospital  that  he  may  die  there,  for  there  seems 
to  be  but  little  hope  of  his  ultimate  recovery,  he  is 
so  sick  and  crazy  and  fierce."  This  man's  name  was 
Bovard  Willis,  a  Unionist,  of  Biloxi,  Miss.  After 
the  officer's  departure  he  quieted  down  in  a  very  short 
time.  I  approached  him  and  said: 

"  Willis,  I  do  not  profess  to  be  an  alienist,  but  I 
know  that  you  are  no  more  crazy  than  I  am.  I  will 
not  betray  you.  What  is  your  motive  in  feigning 
madness  ?  " 

He  replied,  "If  I  am  taken  to  the  hospital  I  will 
have  a  by  far  better  opportunity  of  escaping.  I  voted 
against  secession,  I  led  the  Unionists  in  our  county, 
I  became  very  obnoxious  to  the  secessionists,  and 
there  is  no  hope  for  me  but  in  escape." 

In  the  evening  he  was  removed  to  the  hospital. 
The  next  morning  he  was  missing.  He  had  unfor- 


204  TUPELO. 

innately  left  some  clothing  in  the  hospital.  The 
company  that  went  in  search  of  him  let  the  hounds 
smell  the  garment.  Soon  they  struck  his  trail  and 
followed  it  to  the  creek.  "Willis,  upon  reaching  the 
creek,  waded  in  it  three  miles,  and  thus  baffled  his 
pursuers  for  several  hours.  In  the  afternoon  they 
recovered  the  trail  and  followed  it  rapidly  for  sev- 
eral miles.  By  this  time  Willis  had  reached  a  house 
ten  miles  south-west  of  Tupelo.  He  went  to  it  at  a 
venture.  He  asked  for  water.  The  proprietor 
seemed  to  know  by  intuition  the  character  of  this 
wanderer.  He  told  his  wife  to  prepare  some  food  for 
this  stranger.  While  he  was  eating,  the  howling  of 
the  hounds  was  heard.  Willis  rose  in  great  trepida- 
tion. His  host  at  once  interpreted  the  reason.  No 
plan  seemed  feasible  for  the  concealment  of  the  fugi- 
tive. Mrs.  Quay  suggested  the  closet  as  a  hiding 
place,  but  her  husband  thought  it  unsafe,  as  it  was  in 
a  part  of  the  house  so  exposed  that  it  would  be  among 
the  first  places  searched.  The  blood-hounds  finding 
the  track  fresh  were  pursuing  with  great  speed. 

Mr.  Quay  said,  pointing  to  a  tree  about  two  hun- 
dred yards  distant,  "If  you  could  reach  that  tree,  you 
would  find  a  secure  asylum  till  your  pursuers  had 
gone  on,  or  returned  supposing  they  were  on  the 
wrong  trail.  The  horses  are  in  the  field,  if  I  can 
only  get  one  up  in  time  and  carry  you  over  to  the  tree 
and  get  back  before  they  reach  us  you  will  be  safe." 

Just  then  the  hounds  broke  out  afresh  into  loud 
howls  and  sharp  yelps. 


TUPELO.  205 

"They  are  too  near  for  that"  said  Willis,  "I  am 
lost." 

"Pa,"  said  little  Violetta  Quay  (who  was  only 
six  years  old),  "you  just  tote  that  man  over  to  the 
tree." 

"  I'll  do  it,"  said  her  pa.  He  stooped  down,  and 
Willis  perched  himself  upon  his  shoulders  and  was 
borne  to  the  tree,  and  in  an  incredibly  short  space  of 
time  was  concealed  amid  the  foliage  of  the  loftiest 
branches  of  this  mighty  king  of  the  forest. 

Quay  had  just  time  to  return  and  enter  his  house 
when  the  hounds  bounded  into  his  yard,  their  fierce 
yelps  betokening  that  they  knew  that  the  object  of 
their  pursuit  was  near.  Soon  the  pursuing  cavalry 
entered  the  yard,  and  dismounting,  began  uncere- 
moniously a  thorough  but  bootless  search  of  the  house 
and  premises.  They  questioned  strictly  each  member 
of  the  family,  but  they  were  all  woefully  ignorant. 
The  officer  in  charge  asked  little  Violetta  if  she  had 
seen  any  stranger  about  lately.  She  replied,  "  If  I 
had  I  wouldn't  tell  you.  I  just  wish  the  poor  man 
would  come  here,  I'd  hide  him  if  I  could  from  those 
awful  dogs."  The  hounds  were  completely  baffled. 
They  would  not  leave  the  track  indicated  by  the 
scent  of  Willis'  garment  for  any  other.  After  two 
hours  of  fruitless  endeavor  to  recover  the  track,  thev 
left  Mr.  Quay's  house  and  returned. 

Willis  was  now  among  friends.  After  some  nights 
spent  in  hiding,  Willis  was  conveyed  by  nocturnal 
journeys  from  one  friendly  post  to  another,  till  he 


200  TUPELO. 

reached  the  Federal  lines  at  Memphis,  Term.  "Willis 
did  not  change  quarters  till  the  guides  were  ready  to 
enter  upon  their  perilous  task  of  guiding  a  band  of 
Unionists,  of  which  Willis  was  one,  to  the  Federal 
lines.  He  said,  "  There  is  no  place  so  safe  as  where 
the  hounds  have  been."  And  so  the  experiment 
proved  the  adage  true.  Willis  was  not  molested  in 
this  sylvan  retreat,  though  the  whole  country  north 
to  the  Federal  lines  was  repeatedly  traversed  by  cav- 
alry and  hounds. 

M.  T.  Anderson,  of  Millersburg,  Holmes  Co.,  O., 
came  to  me  and  said  : 

"  Mr.  Aughey,  I  am  very  sorry  for  you.  There  is 
hope  for  me.  I  am  a  prisoner  of  war.  If  I  survive 
the  horrors  of  imprisonment  I  will  be  exchanged, 
but  for  you,  a  prisoner  of  state,  there  is  no  hope  ex- 
cept by  eluding  the  vigilance  of  the  guards  and  mak- 
ing your  way  through  this  great  army,  and  traversing 
a  long  stretch  of  hostile  country  to  the  Federal  lines. 
Now,  sir,  I  am  not  superstitious,  but  I  had  a  dream 
last  night  that  has  deeply  impressed  me.  I  thought 
that  I  was  caught  up  into  heaven,  into  the  midst  of 
the  Paradise  of  God,  and  as  I  stood  dazed  amid  the 
splendors  of  the  city  of  the  Great  King,  and  bewil- 
dered by  the  light  and  resplendent  glory  that  ema- 
nated from  the  great  white  throne,  and  Him  that  is 
seated  thereon,  I  heard  a  voice  saying,  'Who  will  go 
for  us  to  earth,  and  deliver  my  servant  from  bonds 
and  imprisonment  and  impending  death,  that  he  may 
longer  proclaim  my  gospel?'  Suddenly  there  ap- 


TUPELO.  207 

peared  before  the  throne  a  form  of  wondrous  beauty, 
apparently  a  young  man — of  radiant  countenance; 
from  every  feature  beamed  love  and  peace  and  good- 
will, who  said,  '  Here  am  I.  Send  me.  I  will  go 
and  deliver  him  and  bring  him  safely  to  the  desired 
haven.'  'Who  art  thou?'  said  the  recording  angel, 
who  sat  hard  by  the  throne  of  God.  *  I  am  Ariel, 
the  lion  of  Jehovah,  who  am  made  strong  to  deliver 
his  chosen  ones  from  all  their  enemies  that  rise  up 
against  them  to  destroy  them.  I  delivered  Peter 
from  Herod's  dungeon,  and  many  saints  who  were 
shut  up  in  prison  have  I  released,'  and  he  was  bidden 
to  perform  the  mission.  And  then  I  heard  the  voice 
of  a  multitude  saying,  'Go,  and  Jehovah,  merciful 
and  gracious,  mighty  and  strong  to  deliver,  give  thee 
abundant  success.'  And  all  the  host  of  heaven  re- 
sponded, '  Amen.'  Then  a  voice  said  to  me,  'Return 
and  make  known  the  vision  to  my  servant,  who  in 
bonds  is  breaking  to  thee  and  those  with  thee  the 
bread  of  eternal  life.'  I  awoke  trembling  and  aston- 
ished. 

"Now,  I  entertain  more  than  a  mere  presentiment 
of  your  escape.  I  am  so  fully  impressed  with  the  truth 
that  my  dream  was  a  revelation  of  God's  will  con- 
cerning you,  that  I  firmly  believe  that  these  wicked 
men  will  not  be  suffered  in  the  providence  of  God  to 
take  your  life.  I  predict  that  many,  many  years  of 
successful  labor  in  your  Master's  vineyard  are  before 
you;  many  souls,  by  your  instrumentality,  are  to  be 
brought  into  the  fold  of  Christ  and  the  kingdom  of 
heaven." 


208  TUPELO. 

"I  wish  you  may  not  be  a  false  prophet,  and  that 
your  dream  may  be  verified.  The  eye  of  faith  alone 
can  discern  a  ray  of  hope.  Sight  shows  a  prison, 
strong  and  closely  guarded,  a  mighty  army  of  watch- 
ful and  malignant  foes,  chains,  fetters,  guards  on  the 
alert,  pickets,  patrols,  videttes,  blood-hounds  innu- 
merable, my  sun  of  life  apparently  on  the  horizon's 
verge.  The  hour  of  my  departure  fixed.  Many, 
many  miles  intervening  between  my  prison  and  a 
place  of  safety — a  city  of  refuge.  A  physical  frame 
enfeebled  by  starvation  and  surrounding  horrors 
which  have  been  endured  for  many  weary  months, 
which  are  lengthening  into  years.  It  does  indeed 
require  strong  faith  to  discern  a  ray  of  hope  or  glim- 
mer of  light  to  irradiate  the  future.  Next  Tuesday 
ends  all,  my  foes  have  decreed.  If  God  in  his  prov- 
idence has  longer  life  in  store  for  me  I  will  be  spared. 
But  I  feel  that  I  have  received  dying  grace,  and  dy- 
ing grace  is  reserved  for  a  dying  hour.  However, 
should  any  plan  of  escape  present  itself,  I  will  not 
be  slow  to  avail  myself  of  it.  But  my  only  hope  is 
in  escape.  The  vindictive  Confederate  authorities 
are  determined  to  put  me  to  death  at  the  hour  men- 
tioned by  Col.  Walter.  They  are  implacable  and 
unmerciful,  and  it  irketh  them  to  await  the  ap- 
pointed hour.  I  would  like  much  to  live  for  my 
dear  wife's  sake,  and  our  dear  infant's  sake.  By 
this  cruel  deed  of  rebel  hate,  my  wife  will  be  wid- 
owed and  my  child  made  fatherless.  But  God  has 
promised  to  be  the  husband  of  the  widow  and  the 


TUPELO.  209 

father  of  the  fatherless.     To   his  covenant-keeping 
care  I  commit  them  both,  and  the  babe  unborn." 

Feeling  assured  that  my  departure  from  this  ter- 
restrial sphere  was  near,  I  sat  down  upon  the  floor  of 
my  dungeon  and  penned  the  following  letter  to  my 
wife : 

TUPELO,  MILITARY  BASTILE. 
My  Dear  Mary: 

The  Confederate  authorities  announce  to  me  that  I 
have  only  a  few  more  days  to  live.  When  you  re- 
ceive this  letter  the  hand  that  penned  it  will  be  cold 
in  death.  My  soul,  divested  of  the  body,  will  have 
passed  the  solemn  test  before  the  bar  of  God  ;  I  have 
a  good  hope  through  grace  that  I  will  then  be  rejoic- 
ing amid  the  sacramental  host  of  God's  elect,  singing 
the  new  song  of  redeeming  love  in  the  presence  of 
Him  who  is  the  chief  among  ten  thousand  and  the 
one  altogether  lovely.  Mary,  meet  me  in  heaven, 
where  sorrow  and  tears  and  temptation  and  sin  are 
unknown,  and  where  the  wicked  cease  from  troubling 
and  the  weary  are  at  rest.  If  General  Bragg  will 
permit  my  body  to  be  taken  in  charge  by  my  friends, 
I  will  ask  your  brother,  D.  R.  Paden,  and  cousin, 
Capt.  Jas.  H.  Tankersley,  to  convey  it  to  you.  Bury 
me  in  the  cemetery  at  Bethany  church.  That  was 
my  first  ministerial  charge.  Plant  a  cedar  at  my 
head  and  one  at  my  feet,  and  there  let  me  repose  in 
peace  till  the  archangel's  trump  shall  sound,  sum- 
moning the  dead  to  the  judgment  of  the  great  day, 
and  vouchsafing  to  saints  the  long  hoped  forredemp- 

14 


210  TUPELO. 

tion  of  the  body.  As  to  my  property,  it  has  all,  by 
Confederate  laws,  been  confiscated,  and  after  years  of 
incessant  toil  I  leave  you  penniless  and  dependent, 
but  I  implore  you  to  trust  in  God.  To  his  kind, 
protecting  care  I  commit  you  and  our  dear  little  Kate. 
Jehovah  has  promised  to  be  the  widow's  husband  and 
the  father  of  the  fatherless.  Rest  assured  the  Lord 
will  provide.  Only  trust  Him  and  love  Him  with 
your  whole  heart  and  soul  and  mind  and  strength.  I 
know  that  it  shall  be  well  with  them  that  love  God. 
Be  not  faithless,  but  believing,  and  though  clouds 
and  darkness  surround  you  at  present,  well-nigh  ob- 
scuring the  spiritual  sky  whence  hope  emanates,  yet 
be  assured  a  more  auspicious  day  will  dawn,  and 
God  will  bring  you  safely  to  your  journey's  end,  and 
our  reunion  in  heaven  will  be  sweet. 

Our  dear  little  daughter,  Kate,  bring  up  in  the 
nurture  and  admonition  of  the  Lord.  Teach  her  to 
walk  in  wisdom's  ways,  for  all  her  ways  are  pleas- 
antness and  all  her  paths  are  peace.  Her  infant 
mind  may  be  compared  to  wax  in  its  susceptibil- 
ity for  receiving  impressions,  and  to  marble  for  its 
power  in  retaining  those  impressions.  O !  that  she 
may  be  satisfied  early  with  thy  mercy,  O,  God,  that  she 
may  rejoice  and  be  glad  all  her  days.  Teach  her  to 
remember  her  Creator  in  the  days  of  her  youth,  be- 
fore the  evil  days  come  in  which  she  shall  say,  I  have 
no  pleasure  in  them.  Make  the  Bible,  the  precious 
Bible,  her  constant  study,  and  let  its  words  be  as 
household  words  to  her.  Inspire  her  mind  with  a 


TUPELO.  211 

love  of  the  Book  which  is  able  to  make  wise  unto  sal- 
vation. See  to  it  that  the  words  of  Christ  dwell 
richly  in  her  soul,  that  she  may  be  filled  with  knowl- 
edge and  wisdom  and  spiritual  understanding.  Pray 
for  the  Holy  Spirit  to  bless  your  labors  and  counsels. 
Without  his  blessing  all  your  labor  would  be  in 
vain.  Pray  that  the  third  Person  of  the  adorable 
Trinity,  the  Spirit  of  the  living  God,  may  take  up  his 
abode  in  her  heart,  to  abide  with  her  forever.  As 
my  duties  in  regard  to  instructing  our  child  will  de- 
volve solely  upon  you,  take  for  your  guidance  in 
this  respect  Deut.  vi.  5-9.  Let  your  example  be 
such  as  you  would  wish  her  to  follow.  Children 
are  much  more  inclined  to  follow  example  than 
precept.  Exercise  care  in  this  respect,  for  as  is  the 
mother  so  is  her  daughter.  I  regret  that  my  family, 
from  the  force  of  circumstances,  will  be  compelled  to 
remain  in  a  section  where,  by  many,  my  course  of 
conduct  which  led  to  my  death  will  be  considered 
disgraceftd.  But  this  cannot  be  avoided.  The 
time,  I  feel  sure,  will  come  when,  even  in  Mississippi, 
I  will  be  regarded  as  a  patriot  martyr.  My  con- 
science is  void  of  offence  as  regards  guilt  in  the 
charge  preferred  against  me.  When  the  wicked  bear 
rule  the  people  mourn.  What  cruelties  are  being 
perpetrated  by  rebels  against  God  and  their  country. 
How  long,  O,  Lord,  how  long  shall  the  wicked  tri- 
umph? How  long  will  God  forbear  to  execute  that 
vengeance  which  is  his,  and  which  he  will  repay  in  his 
own  good  time?  I  have  an  abiding  confidence  that 


212  TUPELO. 

i 

the  right  cause  will  prevail,  and  though  I  shall  not 
live  to  see  it,  for  my  days  are  numbered,  yet  I  firmly 
believe  since  God  is  a  God  of  justice  and  an  avenger 
of  the  righteous  who  serve  him  faithfully,  that  the 
rebel  power  will  be  destroyed  utterly. 

"  Truth  crushed  to  earth  shall  rise  again — 
The  eternal  years  of  God  are  hers — 
But  error  wounded  writhes  in  pain 
And  dies  amid  his  worshipers." 

I  write  this  letter  amid  the  din  and  confusion  inci- 
dent to  a  large  number  of  men  crowded  into  a  nar- 
row compass  and  free  from  all  restraint. 

This  letter  will  be  conveyed  to  you  by  friends. 
The  names  of  those  friends  you  will  know  here- 
after. My  real  estate  will  be  restored  to  you 
when  the  Union  cause  triumphs.  That  it  will 
do  so  ultimately  is  beyond  the  possibility  of  a 
doubt.  Give  my  love  to  all  my  friends.  Remem- 
ber that  I  have  prayed  for  you  and  our  dear  Kate 
unceasingly  during  my  imprisonment,  and  my  last 
utterances  on  earth  will  be  prayers  for  your  welfare. 
Farewell,  God  bless  you  and  keep  you  and  our  dear 
child  from  all  harm. 

Your  affectionate  husband, 

JOHN  H.  AUGHEY. 

I  then  wrote  my  obituary,  which  I  placed  in  the 
hands  of  Mr.  De  Grummond,  a  Federal  prisoner,  by 
whom  it  was  to  be  sent  to  the  Philadelphia  Presby- 
terian for  publication.  I  copy  a  portion  of  it : 


TUPELO.  213 

OBITUARY. 

Died  in  Tupelo,  Itawamba  county,  Miss.,  July  15, 
1862,  Rev.  John  H.  Aughey. 

The  subject  of  the  above  notice  suffered  death  on 
the  gallows  at  the  hands  of  the  Confederate  military 
authorities,  on  the  charges  of  treason  and  enacting 
the  spy.  John  H.  Aughey  was  born  in  New  Hart- 
ford, Oneida  county,  X.  Y.,  May  8, 1828.  Removed 
with  his  parents  to  Steubenville,  O.,  July  4,  1837. 
Is  an  alumnus  of  Franklin  College,  Xew  Athens, 
Ohio.  His  theological  instructors  were,  Revs.  L.  A. 
Lowrey,  Winchester,  Ky.;  Jahleel  Woodbridge,  Baton 
Rouge,  La.;  John  H.  Gray,  D.D.,  Geo.  W.  Coons, 
D.D.,  and  Rev.  J.  O.  Steadman,  D.D.,  Memphis, 
Tenn.;  Rev.  Chas.  S.  Dod,  Rev.  H.  H.  Paine,  and 
Rev.  S.  Irwin  Reid,  Holly  Springs,  Miss.  Was 
licensed  to  preach  the  gospel  by  the  Presbytery  of 
Chickasaw,  October  4,  1856.  Ordained  to  the  full 
work  of  the  ministry  by  the  Presbytery  of  Tom- 
beckbee,  April  19,  1861.  Was  married  January 
22,  1857,  by  Rev.  R.  Henderson,  to  Miss  Mary  J. 
Paden,  of  luka,  Miss.,  who,  with  one  child,  a  daugh- 
ter, born  September  3,  1858,  survives  him.  God 
blessed  his  labors  by  giving  him  many  souls  as  seals 
to  his  ministry.  After  eleven  years  labor  in  the 
South  as  an  educator  and  minister  of  the  gospel, 
having  never  injured  a  citizen  of  the  South  in  per- 
son or  property,  he  fell  a  victim  to  secession  hatred, 
and  died  a  felon's  death,  because  he  would  not  be- 


214  TUPELO. 

come  a  traitor  to  the  government  which  had  never 
in  a  single  instance  trespassed  upon  his  rights  of  per- 
son or  property.  He  rests  in  peace  and  in  the  hope 
of  a  blessed  immortality  beyond  the  grave.  "  Take 
ye  heed,  watch  and  pray,  for  ye  know  not  when  the 
time  is."  Mark  xiii.  33. 

"Leaves  have  their  time  to  fall, 
And  flowers  to  wither  at  the  north  wind's  breath, 
And  stars  to  set — but  all ! 
Thou  hast  all  seasons  for  thine  own,  O  !  Death." 

ADDRESS   TO   MY  SOUL. 

O !  my  soul,  thou  art  about  to  appear  in  the  pres- 
ence of  thy  Creator,  who  is  infinite,  eternal,  un- 
changeable in  his  being,  wisdom,  power,  holiness, 
justice,  goodness,  and  truth.  He  cannot  look  upon 
sin.  He  is  a  sin-avenging  God,  and  thou  art  defiled 
by  sin.  Thy  transgressions  are  numerous  as  the 
stars  of  heaven.  Thou  art  totally  debased  by  sin 
and  thy  iniquities  abound.  Thou  art  guilty  of  sins 
both  of  omission  and  commission.  Justice  would 
consign  thee  to  banishment  from  heaven  and  to  ever- 
lasting destruction  from  the  presence  of  the  Lord  and 
the  Glory  of  his  power.  Guilty,  helpless,  wretched 
as  thou  art,  what  is  thy  plea  that  sentence  of  eternal 
death  should  not  be  pronounced  against  thee? 

THE    SOUL'S    REPLY. 

I  plead  the  merit  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  whose 
blood  cleanses  from  all  sin,  even  from  sins  of  the 
deepest  dye.  I  plead  the  atonement  made  by  Him 


TUPELO.  215 

who  made  an  atonement  for  sin,  who  bore  my  sins 
in  his  own  body  on  the  cross  of  Calvary  and  wrought 
out  a  perfect  righteousness  which  I  may  obtain  by 
simple  faith.  No  money,  no  price  is  demanded. 
This  I  could  not  pay,  for  all  my  righteousness  is  but 
filthy  rags,  and  I  must  perish  were  any  part  of  the 
purchase  price  demanded.  Nothing  in  my  hand  I 
bring.  My  salvation  must  be  all  of  grace,  or  to  me 
it  would  be  hopeless.  I  trust  that  Christ  will  clothe 
me  in  the  perfect,  spotless  robes  of  his  own  righteous- 
ness and  thus  present  me  faultless  before  the  throne. 
With  this  trust  I  go  to  the  judgment  seat,  assured 
that  the  soul  that  implicitly  trusts  in  Jesus  shall 
never  be  put  to  shame.  He  is  faithful  who  has 
promised. 

MILITARY  DUNGEON, 
TUPELO,  Miss.,  July  11,  1862. 
My  Dear  Parents : 

Life  is  sweet,  and  it  is  a  pleasant  thing  to  behold 
the  sun.  All  that  a  man  hath  will  he  give  for  his 
life.  Having  promise  of  the  life  that  now  is.  The 
life  is  more  than  meat.  They  hunt  for  the  precious 
life.  These  quotations  from  the  Word  of  Life  show 
the  high  estimate  that  is  placed  upon  life.  My  life 
is  not  precious  in  the  eyes  of  these  virulent  secession- 
ists, for  their  military  rulers  declare  that  on  the  15th 
inst.  my  life  must  terminate.  Yet  a  few  days  and 
me  the  all-beholding  sun  shall  see  no  more  in  all  his 
course.  Mourn  not  for  me,  my  dear  parents,  as, 
those  who  have  no  hope.  For  me  to  live  is  Christ, 


216  TUPELO. 

and  I  can  say  also  with  the  apostle,  and  to  die  is 
gain.  I  fear  not  those  who,  when  they  have  killed 
the  body,  have  no  more  that  they  can  do.  But  I 
fear  Him  whose  fear  casteth  out  every  fear.  When 
these  lines  are  read  by  you  he  who  penned  them  will 
be  an  inhabitant  of  the  Celestial  City,  the  New  Jeru- 
salem. He  will  have  a  palace  home  by  the  crystal  sea, 
and  be  the  possessor  of  a  kingdom  and  a  crown  as 
eternal  in  duration  as  the  throne  of  Jehovah.  He  will 
be  reposing  in  his  Savior's  bosom  in  the  midst  of  the 
Paradise  of  God. 

Next  to  God  my  thanks  are  due  to  you,  my  dear 
parents,  for  guiding  my  infant  feet  in  the  path  of 
wisdom  and  virtue.  In  riper  years  I  have  been 
warned  and  instructed.  By  precept  and  example  I 
have  been  led,  until  my  habits  became  fixed,  and 
then,  accompanied  by  your  parental  blessing,  I  sought 
a  distant  home  to  engage  in  the  arduous  duties  of  life. 
Whatever  success  I  have  achieved,  whatever  influence 
for  good  I  may  have  exerted,  are  all  due  to  your 
pious  training.  I  owe  you  a  debt  of  gratitude  which 
I  can  never  repay.  Though  I  cannot,  God  will  grant 
you  a  reward  lasting  as  eternity.  It  will  add  to  that 
exceeding  and  eternal  weight  of  glory  which  will  be 
conferred  upon  you  in  that  day  when  the  heavens 
shall  be  dissolved  and  the  elements  shall  melt  with 
fervent  heat.  I  die  for  my  loyalty  to  the  Federal 
Government.  I  know  that  you  would  not  have  me 
turn  traitor  to  save  my  life.  Life  is  precious,  but 
death,  even  death  on  the  scaffold,  is  preferable  to  dis- 


TUPELO.  217 

honor.  Remember  me  kindly  to  all  my  friends. 
Tell  Sallie,  Violetta,  David,  Lizzie,  Mary,  and 
Emma,  my  dear  sisters  and  brother,  to  meet  me  in 
heaven.  I  know  that  my  Redeemer  lives.  Dying  is 
but  going  home.  I  have  taught  many  how  to  live 
and  how  to  die  happily.  Now  by  example  I  am 
called  to  teach  them  how  to  die  as  becometh  the 
Christian.  May  God  in  mercy  grant  that  as  my  day 
my  strength  may  be,  and  that  in  my  last  moments  I 
may  not  by  slavish  fear  bring  dishonor  upon  my 
Master's  cause,  but  may  glorify  Him  in  the  fires. 
Remember  me  to  my  old,  tried,  true,  and  trusted 
friend,  Henry  Spence.  I  have  DO  doubt  you  are  con- 
stantly praying  for  me.  I  will  soon  be  in  that  glo- 
rious home  where  prayer  is  lost  in  praise,  faith  is 
changed  to  sight,  and  death  is  swallowed  up  in 
victory.  Farewell  till  we  meet  beyond  the  river. 
Your  affectionate  son, 

JOHN  H.  AUGHEY. 

To  David  and  Elizabeth  Aughey,  Amsterdam,  Jeffer- 
son county,  Ohio. 

CENTRAL,  MILITARY  PRISON, 
TUPELO,  ITAWAMBA  Co.,  Miss.,  July  11,  1862. 
Hon.  Wm.  H.  Seward: 

DEAR  SIR — A  large  number  of  citizens  of  Mis- 
sissippi, holding  Union  sentiments,  and  who  recog- 
nize no  such  military  usurpation  as  the  so-called 
Confederate  States  of  America,  are  confined  in  a 
filthy  prison,  sadly  infested  with  vermin,  and  are 


218  TUPELO. 

famishing  from  hunger — a  sufficient  quantity  of  food 
not  being  furnished  us.  We  are  separated  from  our 
families,  and  not  suffered  to  hold  any  communication 
with  them.  We  are  compelled  under  a  strong  guard 
to  perform  the  most  menial  services,  and  are  often 
grossly  and  flagrantly  insulted  by  the  officers  and 
guards  of  the  prison.  The  nights  are  very  cool,  after 
the  torrid  heat  of  the  day.  We  are  not  furnished 
with  bedding,  and  are  compelled  to  lie  down  upon 
the  hard  floor  of  our  dungeon,  where  refreshing  sleep 
is  not  possible.  When  exhausted  nature  can  hold  out 
no  longer  our  slumbers  are  broken,  restless,  and  of 
short  duration.  Our  property  is  confiscated  and  our 
families  left  destitute  of  the  necessaries  of  life,  all  that 
they  possessed,  yea,  all  their  living  having  been  seized 
by  the  Confederates  and  converted  to  their  own  use. 
Heavy  iron  fetters  are  placed  upon  our  limbs,  and 
daily  some  of  us  are  led  to  the  scaffold  or  to  death  by 
shooting.  Many  are  forced  into  the  army,  instant 
death  being  the  penalty  in  case  of  refusal,  thus  con- 
straining us  to  bear  arms  against  our  country,  to  be- 
come the  executioners  of  our  friends  and  brethren,  or 
to  fall  ourselves  by  their  hands. 

These  evils  are  intolerable,  and  we  ask  protection 
through  you  from  the  United  States  Government. 
Please  present  our  humble  and  earnest  petition  to  his 
excellency,  Abraham  Lincoln,  president  of  the  United 
States,  that  he  may  take  it  under  advisement  and  if 
possible  afford  us  speedy  relief.  The  Federal  Gov-. 
eminent  may  not  now  be  able  to  release  us,  but  we 


TUPELO.  219 

ask  the  protection  which  the  Federal  prisoner  receives. 
Were  his  life  taken,  swift  retribution  would  be 
visited  upon  the  rebels  by  just  retaliation ;  one  or 
more  rebel  prisoners  would  suffer  death  for  every 
Federal  prisoner  whom  they  destroyed. 

Let  this  rule  hold  good  in  case  of  Unionists  who 
are  citizens  of  the  states  in  rebellion.  The  loyal 
Mississippian  deserves  the  same  protection  accorded 
the  loyal  Rhode  Islander  or  Pennsylvania!!.  We 
ask  also  that  our  confiscated  property  be  restored  to 
us,  or,  in  the  event  of  our  death,  to  our  families.  If 
it  be  destroyed,  we  ask  that  reparation  be  demanded 
from  the  rebel  authorities,  or  that  the  property  of 
known  and  avowed  secessionists  be  sequestered  to 
that  use.  Before  this  letter  reaches  its  destination 
the  majority  of  us  will  have  ceased  to  be.  The  judge 
advocate,  Col.  H.  W.  Walter,  of  the  rebel  army,  has 
informed  the  writer  that  he  must  die  on  the  15th 
inst.  We  have  therefore  little  hope  that  we  individ- 
ually can  receive  any  personal  benefit  from  this  peti- 
tion, even  though  you  should  regard  it  favorably  and 
consent  to  its  suggestions,  but  our  families  who  have 
been  robbed,  so  cruelly  robbed,  of  all  their  substance, 
may,  in  the  future,  receive  remuneration  for  their 
great  losses,  and  should  citizens  of  avowed  secession 
pioclivities  who  are  within  the  Federal  lines  be 
arrested  and  held  as  hostages  for  the  safety  of  Union- 
ists who  are  and  may  be  hereafter  incarcerated  in 
Tupelo  and  elsewhere,  the  rebels  will  not  dare  put 
another  Unionist  to  death. 


220  TUPELO. 

Trusting  that  you  will  deem  it  proper  to  take 
the  prayers  presented  in  our  petition  under  advise- 
ment, and  afford  us  the  protection  desired,  we  remain 
with  high  considerations  of  respect  and  esteem  your 
oppressed  and  imprisoned  fellow-citizens, 

JOHN  H.  AUGHEY, 
BENJAMIN  CLARKE. 
B.  D.  NABOBS, 
JOHN  ROBINSON, 
And  thirty-eight  others. 

Two  young  men,  Donald  Street  and  Samuel  May- 
nard,  informed  me  to-day  that  they  had  been  im- 
pressed into  the  rebel  service.  They  had  been  taken 
prisoner  at  Corinth  by  General  Pope,  and  had  taken 
the  oath  of  allegiance  to  the  Federal  Government,  to 
which  their  hearts  had  always  been  loyal.  Recently 
they  had  been  arrested  by  Parson  Ellis  and  six  other 
guerrillas,  near  Rienzi,  and  being  brought  by  them 
into  the  rebel  camp,  they  refused  to  rejoin  their  regi- 
ments, and  in  consequence  were  immured  in  this 
dungeon.  From  the  threats  of  the  officers  they  ex- 
pected to  be  shot  at  any  moment.  They  had  used 
every  means  to  banish  the  thoughts  of  death — had 
forced  themselves  to  engage  in  pleasantry  and  mirth 
to  drive  away  the  sadness  and  gloom  which 
oppressed  them  when  alone,  and  when  they  recalled 
the  delights  of  their  happy  homes  which  they  would 
never  see  again.  I  counseled  them  to  prepare  to 
meet  their  God  in  peace,  wisely  to  improve  the  short 
time  granted  them  to  make  their  peace,  calling,  and 


TUPELO.  221 

election  sure.  They  replied  that  they  hoped  all 
would  be  well.  They  had  long  since  confessed 
Christ  before  men,  and  hoped  for  salvation  through 
his  merit  alone.  Still,  they  could  not  help  feeling 
sad,  young  as  they  were,  in  the  near  prospect  of 
death.  They  were  both  in  their  20th  year. 

While  I  was  gone  for  water,  these  men  were  taken 
to  their  doom  and  I  never  saw  them  more. 

One  morning,  as  I  lay  restless  and  sore,  endeavor- 
ing to  find  some  position  which  would  be  suffi- 
ciently easy  to  permit  me  to  secure,  even  for  a  few  mo- 
ments, the  benefit  of  tired  nature's  sweet  restorer — 
balmy  sleep,  the  thought  occurred  that  it  would  be 
well  to  attempt  an  escape,  though  it  should  result  in 
death  from  the  fire  of  the  guards ;  this  would  be  by 
far  preferable  to  death  by  strangulation  at  the  rope's 
end,  and  in  the  presence  of  a  large  concourse  of  hoot- 
ing, jeering,  yelling,  infuriated  rebels.  I  had  just 
finished  the  preparation  of  the  following  address,  to 
be  delivered  from  the  scaffold  if  not  forbidden.  I 
gave  a  copy  to  M.  T.  Anderson,  who  desired  it  for 
publication  upon  his  exchange: 

ADDRESS  TO  BE  READ  FROM  THE  GALLOWS. 

My  Unionist  Friends : 

Hear  the  words  of  a  man  about  to  die.  Last 
words  are  of  solemn  import.  Keep  them  in  remem- 
brance. Follow  the  counsels  given,  if  they  com- 
mend themselves  to  your  judgment.  The  Confeder- 
ate officers  have  brought  you  here  to  witness  my  fate, 


222  TUPELO. 

that  you  may  thus  learn  the  penalty  they  deem 
proper  to  be  inflicted  for  inflexible  adherence  to  pa- 
triotic principles.  They  declare  that  I  am  guilty  of 
treason.  Who  are  the  traitors  ?  I  affirm  that  those 
who  would  subvert  the  integrity  of  the  government 
founded  by  our  patriotic  ancestors,  are  the  real 
traitors.  Our  politicians,  I  will  not  call  them  states- 
men, would  first  overthrow  the  best  of  governments, 
and  then  construct  from  its  ruins  a  government 
whose  corner-stone  shall  be  human  slavery.  "Will 
it  stand?  Forbid  it,  Almighty  God  !  forbid  it,  heaven. 
The  millennium  dawn  is  too  near  for  God  to  permit 
to  prosper  a  government  organized  to  maintain  a 
barbaric  relic  of  the  dark  ages,  and  to  preserve  in- 
tact an  institution  subversive  of  all  the  rights  of  man. 
Human  slavery  is  made  a  fundamental  feature  of  the 
Confederate  States  of  America — the  corner-stone,  as 
Alexander  Stephens  terms  it.  Should  we  who  have  no 
slaves  risk  life  and  limb  in  the  interests  of  slave- 
holders, and  at  their  bidding  war  against  a  govern- 
ment that  has  never  trespassed  upon  our  rights  ?  I, 
for  one,  prefer  death,  and  gladly  welcome  its  embrace 
rather  than  to  violate  the  monitions  of  conscience,  the 
voice  of  reason,  the  decision  of  judgment,  and  the 
teachings  of  pious  and  patriotic  ancestors.  You  be- 
lieve in  state  rights,  so  do  I.  State  sovereignty  and 
national  supremacy.  They  are  not  incompatible. 
State  and  nation  each  sovereign  in  its  own  sphere. 
One  needs  not  and  has  not  trenched  upon  the  prerog- 
atives of  the  other.  E  pluribus  unum,  one  com- 


TUPELO.  223 

posed  of  many.  Distinct  as  the  billows,  yet  one  as 
the  sea.  Forced  into  the  army  as  conscripts,  you  are 
not  warring  against  the  government  by  choice.  Ac- 
cept deliverance  when  it  comes.  See  to  it  that  the 
republic  receives  no  detriment  at  your  hands.  The 
time  is  not  far  distant  when  the  last  assassin's  dagger 
shall  be  stricken  from  his  rebellious  hand.  How  earn- 
estly I  have  prayed  to  be  permitted  to  see  the^lownfall 
of  treason,  but  God  in  his  wisdom  declines  to  grant 
my  petition.  The  government  will  live  and  flourish 
long  after  all  its  foes  are  dead,  buried,  and  forgotten, 
for  the  memory  of  the  wicked  shall  rot.  It  will  dis- 
pense blessings  to  your  posterity  and  mine,  till  the 
angel  of  Jehovah,  standing  with  one  foot  on  the  sea 
and  the  other  on  the  solid  land,  shall,  with  trumpet 
voice,  proclaim  that  time  shall  be  no  more.  It  is  the 
last,  the  best,  and  most  benign  government  ever  be- 
stowed upon  man  by  Him  who  establishes  the  na- 
tions and  fixes  their  boundaries  and  ordains  their 
duration.  Our  government  would  be  unworthy  of 
respect  were  it  impotent  to  enforce  obedience  to  its 
wise,  humane,  and  beneficent  laws,  and  to  perpetuate 
its  existence,  if  necessary,  by  the  complete  overthrow 
of  all  opposing  forces.  The  government  under 
which  we  have  as  a  nation  so  greatly  prospered  is 
the  ordinance  of  God.  The  wheels  of  the  chariot 
which  bears  it  onward  will  ever  revolve.  He  who 
stands  in  the  way  of  its  progress  will  be  crushed  as 
sure  as  fate. 

Although  in  durance  vile,  and  in  rebellious  ranks 


224  TUPELO. 

perforce,  your  conscience,  your  judgment,  the  teach- 
ings of  true  wisdom,  the  word  of  God  that  enjoins 
obedience  to  lawful  authority,  the  patriotic  utterances 
of  Washington  and  his  compatriots,  should  be  the 
chart  to  direct  you  in  the  path  of  duty  in  every  emer- 
gency. Firmly  resolve  that  the  republic,  through 
you,  shall  receive  no  detriment.  The  government 
has  done  you  no  harm.  Reciprocate  with  grateful 
hearts  the  benefits  received  from  its  benignant  laws 
and  beneficent  institutions.  When  treason  dies  an 
ignominious  death,  be  present  to  bury  its  gory  corpse 
beyond  the  possibility  of  a  resurrection.  I  see  be- 
fore me  many  who  were  with  us  on  the  high  hills 
and  in  the  deep  glens  devising  plans  to  resist  the  de- 
tested conscription.  Many  of  your  comrades  are  in 
the  ranks  of  the  patriotic  army  aiding  in  crushing 
the  hydra  serpent  head  of  treason  and  rebellion.  See 
to  it  that  they  suffer  no  harm  at  your  hands.  May 
their  lives  be  precious  in  your  sight. 

"  Oh,  Liberty,  how  many  crimes  are  committed  in 
thy  name,"  exclaimed  one  well  known  to  fame,  but 
we  are  murdered  by  the  craven  hordes  of  treason  to 
promote  the  fancied  interests  of  chattel  slavery,  of 
human  bondage. 

I  die,  but  the  sacred  cause  I  humbly  represent  will 
not  perish  with  me  on  this  scaffold.  The  roots  of  the 
tree  of  liberty,  moistened  by  the  blood  of  the  noble 
phalanx  of  hero-martyrs  who  have  perished  here  in 
Tupelo  and  on  other  fields,  made  classic  and  sacred 
by  the  outpouring  of  the  precious  blood  of  true 


TUPELO.  225 

Southern  patriots,  will  strike  deep  and  spread  wide, 
and  will  send  up  through  every  pore  the  vital  fluid 
which  shall  keep  forever  fresh  and  green  the  leaves 
of  that  sacred  tree  planted  by  our  fathers  in  the 
primeval  forest,  under  whose  wide-spreading  branches 
they  and  their  children,  and,  we  trust,  their  remotest 
posterity,  will  find  safety  and  freedom  and  peren- 
nial happiness. 

'These,  our  murderers,  would  dig  up  the  tree  of 
liberty  and  plant  in  its  stead  the  deadly  upas  tree  of 
human  bondage.  Its  roots  would  reach  down  and 
take  hold  upon  perdition.  The  inalienable  rights  of 
man  would  perish  beneath  its  blighting  shade. 

Shall  we  tamely  and  basely  surrender  our  God- 
given  heritage  of  freedom  to  save  our  lives  imperiled 
by  treason's  minions?  Shall  we  basely  betray  a 
cause  dearer  to  us  than  life,  for  the  sake  of  eking  out 
a  miserable,  cowardly  existence,  purchased  at  the 
cost  of  our  manhood  and  of  every  virtuous  and  holy 
principle?  Shall  we  sell  our  birthright  for  a  mess 
of  pottage,  and  thus  ignobly  receive,  as  a  boon  gra- 
ciously accorded  by  these  fiends  incarnate  who  are 
thirsting  for  our  blood,  a  few  years'  longer  lease  of 
life,  till  nature  calls  us  to  pay  the  inevitable  debt, 
and  we  slink  into  dishonorable  graves  ? 

No.  A  thousand  times,  no.  My  free  soul,  not 
trammeled  by  the  fetters  that  bind  and  torture  my 
body,  gladly,  joyfully  embraces  death,  exultingly 
leaping  into  its  outstretched  arms  in  preference  to 
the  acceptance  of  life  on  terms  so  vile,  so  ignominious, 

15 


226  TUPELO. 

that  were  I  to  do  so,  high  heaven  with  ire  would 
spurn  ray  wretched  soul,  when  seeking  admission  into 
Paradise,  from  all  association  with  the  spirits  of  the 
pure  and  good,  and  consign  it  to  the  doom  of  those 
who  rebelled  in  heaven  and  on  earth  against  the  God 
who  ordained  the  powers  that  be,  to  whom,  when 
ruling  by  divine  appointment,  all  are  commanded  to 
be  subject. 

The  glorious  cause,  in  the  interests  of  which  I  lay 
down  my  life,  will  ultimately  triumph.  Truth 
crushed  to  earth  will  rise  again.  Entertain  no  doubts 
on  this  subject.  Rebellion  will  be  utterly  subverted 
as  sure  as  the  God  of  justice  reigns,  who  will  ever 
prosper  the  cause  approved  in  heaven. 

For  right  is  right,  since  God  is  God, 

And  right  the  day  must  win; 
To  doubt  would  be  disloyalty, 

To  falter  would  be  sin. 

May  God  subvert  rebellion  by  the  speedy  over- 
throw of  all  its  enemies  and  the  restoration  of  civil 
and  constitutional  liberty  to  the  people  of  these  dis- 
tracted, discordant,  belligerent,  and  rebellious  South- 
ern states.  Liberty  calls  upon  each  one  of  you  to  do 
your  duty,  that  her  blessings  may  be  dispensed  to 
and  enjoyed  by  all. 

They  love  her  best  who  to  themselves  are  true, 
And  what  they  dare  to  dream  of  dare  to  do. 

Remember  my  advice  heretofore  given  on  many  a 
•high  hill  and  secluded,  lonely  glen,  at  the  solemn 
midnight  hour.  I  am  now  ready  to  be  offered  up, 


TUPELO.  227 

and  the  time  of  my  departure  has  come.  I  only  ex- 
change earth  for  heaven — a  life  of  warfare  for  a  vic- 
tor's crown.  Dying  is  but  going  home.  Farewell, 
my  friends,  till  we  meet  beyond  the  river  where  pain 
and  sorrow,  sin  and  death  are  felt  and  feared  no  more. 
My  own  and  my  country's  enemies  cannot  reach  me 
there  to  harm  me.  Those  holy  gates  forever  bar  pol- 
lution, sin,  and  shame.  None  can  obtain  admittance 
there  but  followers  of  the  Lamb.  My  prayer  is  that 
of  the  good  Dr.  Valpy: 

In  peace  let  me  resign  my  breath 

And  Thy  salvation  see ; 
My  sins  deserve  eternal  death, 

But  Jesus  died  for  me. 

I  have  complied  with  the  conditions  upon  which 
salvation  is  promised.  I  have  exercised  faith  in  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ.  I  have  exercised  loving  trust 
and  trusting  love,  and  have  the  assurance  that  Jesus 
is  my  loving,  precious  Savior,  in  whose  delightful 
presence  I  am  about  to  appear.  So  I  have  nothing 
to  fear. 

Once  to  every  man  and  nation 

Comes  a  moment  to  decide, 
In  the  strife  of  truth  and  falsehood 

For  the  good  or  evil  side; 
Troth  is  now  upon  the  scaffold, 

Wrong  is  now  upon  the  throne, 
Yet  this  scaffold  sweeps  the  future, 

And  behind  the  dim  unknown 
Standeth  God  within  the  shadow, 

Keeping  watch  above  his  own. 


228  TUPELO. 

Weep  not  for  me  but  for  yourselves  and  your  children. 
God  iu  his  righteous  retribution  will  visit  in  vengeance 
for  the  great  sins  of  this  rebellious  people.  Our  blood 
will  be  required  at  their  hands.  Those  of  you  who 
can  do  so,  escape  for  your  lives,  for  this  wicked  peo- 
ple shall  be  crushed  in  the  wine-press  of  Jehovah's 
wrath,  and  will  be  compelled  to  drink  to  the  dregs 
the  cup  of  divine  vengeance. 

Though  the  mills  of  the  gods  grind  slowly  they  grind  exceed- 
ing small; 

Though  with  patience  He  stands  waiting,  with  exactness  ]  f e 
grinds  all. 

I  must  close.  Your  friend  and  fellow-citizen  of 
the  state  of  Mississippi,  and  the  United  States  of 
America,  JOHN  H.  AUGHEY. 

The  prisoners  who  were  shot  suffered  death  in  the 
following  manner :  A  hole  was  dug,  I  can  scarcely 
dignify  it  by  the  name  of  grave.  The  victim  was 
ordered  to  sit  with  his  legs  dangling  in  it.  The  file 
of  soldiers  took  position  in  front  of  their  victims, 
when  three  balls  were  fired  into  the  brain  and  three 
into  the  heart,  and  the  body  falling  into  this  rude  ex- 
cavation was  immediately  covered  with  earth.  At 
first  coffins  were  used,  but  of  late  these  had  been  dis- 
pensed with,  owing  to  the  expense,  and  the  increas- 
ing number  of  executions.  In  some  cases  the  sol- 
diers purposely  missed  their  aim.  It  was  an  odious 
duty  which  they  endeavored  to  shun,  and  only  per- 
formed it  upon  compulsion.  If  the  corpse  was  to  be 
delivered  to  friends  they  invariably  tried  to  aim  so 


TUPELO.  229 

as  to  wound  without  taking  life,  and  many  of  the 
condemned  have,  by  feigning  death,  escaped  in  this 
way.     Gen.  Bragg's  name  was  a  synonym  for  cruelty. 
He  shot  many  of  his  own  soldiers  for  trivial  offenses, 
and  upon  the  poor  Unionists  he  had  no  mercy.     One 
of  his  officers  said  to  me,  "So  many  men  are  put  to 
death  by  Bragg,  and  executions  have  become  so  com- 
mon that  now  when  they  occur  they  scarcely  excite 
remark."     He  was  a  martinet  who  never  failed  to 
punish  the  most  trivial  offenses  with  great  severity. 
I  had  not  long  meditated  upon  this  subject  when  I 
arose,    resolved   upon   immediate   death   or   liberty. 
Of  two  evils  I  chose  the  less.     My  intentions  were 
communicated  to  several  prisoners,  who  promised  me 
all  the  aid  in  their  power.     My  fetters  were  exam- 
ined, and  it  was  the  opinion  of  Amos  Deane  and 
Amzi  Meek  that  with  proper  instruments  my  bonds 
could  be  divested  of  the  iron  rods  which  secured  the 
chain  rings.     A  long-handled  iron  spoon,  my  knife, 
which  had  a  file  blade,  and  a  file  which  one  of  the 
prisoners  had  procured  from  a  Unionist  visitor,  were 
secured,  and  two  were  detached  at  a  time  to  work 
upon  my  manacles.     We  went   to  a   corner  of  the 
prison,  and  a  sufficient  number  of  prisoners  stood  in 
front  of  us  to  prevent  the  guards  from  observing  the 
proceedings.     We   changed  our   location  frequently 
to  avoid  suspicion,  and  when  officers  entered,  labor 
was  suspended  till  their  exit.     Several  prisoners  were 
shot  to-day,  and  six  Unionists  were  incarcerated.     A 
reign  of  terror  had  been  inaugurated  only  equaled 


230  TUPELO. 

in  its  appalling  enormity  by  the  memorable  French 
revolution. 

Spies  and  informers  in  the  pay  of  the  rebel  gov- 
ernment prowl  through  the  country,  using  every  arti- 
fice and  stratagem  to  lead  Unionists  to  criminate 
themselves.  After  this  they  are  dragged  to  prison 
and  to  death.  The  cavalry  dash  through  the  country 
making  daily  raids,  burning  cotton,  carrying  off  or 
wantonly  destroying  the  property  of  loyal  citizens, 
and  committing  depredations  of  every  kind. 

Several  prisoners  resolved  to  attempt  to  escape 
with  me.  Our  plan  was  to  bring  in  from  the  euc'os- 
ure  in  the  rear  of  the  prison  the  ax  with  which  we 
cut  and  split  wood  for  cooking,  and  if  possible  to  raise 
a  plank  in  the  floor  by  cutting  away  the  wood  and 
drawing  the  spikes,  a  sufficient  number  to  stand 
around  those  who  did  the  work  to  prevent  observa- 
tion, and  to  make  a  hilarious  noise  so  as  to  drown  the 
sound  that  would  be  made.  Then  in  the  night  we 
would  get  under  the  prison  and  make  our  way  out  on 
the  north  side  through  the  guards  who  were  off  duty. 
At  this  time  there  were  three  guards  in  front  of  each 
door,  and  two  on  the  south  side  of  the  building.  On 
the  north  side  of  the  prison  there  were  no  guards  on 
duty,  it  not  being  thought  necessary  if  the  other  sides 
were  vigilantly  guarded.  There  were,  however,  sev- 
eral hundred  guards  who,  when  off  duty,  slept  on  this 
side  of  the  prison. 

When  relieved  they  came  there  to  sleep,  and  those 
whose  turn  it  was  went  on  duty.  They  were  con- 


TUPELO.  231 

stantly  coming  and  going,  and  during  the  whole  night 
they  kept  up  an  incessant  noise.  My  friends  labored 
unremittingly  during  the  day  to  remove  the  irons  that 
secured  the  chain  ring.  Those  who  stood  around  us 
to  prevent  the  observation  of  the  guards  standing  in 
front  of  the  doors  told  stale  jokes  and  laughed  at 
them  immoderately,  so  as  to  drown  the  noise  of  the 
filing.  The  sun  was  now  setting,  but  the  ax  had  not 
yet  been  brought  into  the  prison.  Jimmie  Tevis  had 
hidden  it  under  his  blouse  and  tried  to  pass  the 
guards  with  it,  but  they  detected  him  by  the  protrud- 
ing helve,  and  made  him  return  it.  Now  the  extra 
guards  had  gone  on  duty.  There  were  three  in  front 
of  each  door.  The  doors  had  been  removed.  The 
apertures  we  called  doors.  A  guard  was  seated  on 
each  threshold,  and  one  inside  the  building  prome- 
naded the  floor  backward  and  forward  throughout  its 
entire  length  all  night.  During  the  day  no  guards 
were  on  the  thresholds,  nor  in  the  building. 

While  deliberating  upon  the  best  plan  to  pursue, 
since  we  had  failed  in  securing  the  ax,  Gen.  Jordan 
and  Col.  Clare  entered.  I  was  standing  in  the  mid- 
dle of  the  floor,  midway  between  the  doors,  eating 
some  rice  which  had  been  surreptitiously  conveyed  to 
me.  A  note  accompanied  the  mess,  deftly  enclosed. 
It  read :  "  From  your  sincere  and  sympathetic  friend, 
Mrs.  Lydia  Runyan."  Gen.  Jordan  came  directly  to 
the  place  where  I  stood,  and  holding  a  lantern  in 
front  of  my  face,  said,  "You  are  here  yet,  are  you?" 
I  gave  an  affirmative  nod.  "  Well/'  said  he,  to  Col. 


232  TUPELO. 

Clare,  "  I  must  examine  this  fellow's  irons  to  see  what 
is  their  condition."  Suiting  the  action  to  the  word, 
he  put  his  hands  down,  and  ascertaining  that  they 
had  been  tampered  with,  he  endeavored  ineffectually 
to  pull  off  the  bands.  He  did  not  notice  that  I  could 
slip  the  chain  rings  off.  "These  irons,"  said  he? 
"  are  very  insecure.  Who  helped  you  to  put  them 
in  this  condition?"  I  made  no  reply.  After  wait- 
ing till  he  was  assured  that  I  intended  none,  he  turned 
to  Col.  Clare  and  said :  "  Colonel,  have  these  irons 
welded,  put  handcuffs  upon  him,  and  chain  him  to 
that  bolt  in  the  floor.  The  gallows  shall  not  be 
cheated  of  their  due." 

Col.  Clare  said,  "Must  I  do  it  to-night?" 

"Yes,  to-night.     Do  it  at  once." 

"But,"  replied  the  colonel,  "it  is  nearly  nine 
o'clock,  and  I  can't  find  a  blacksmith  to  weld  the 
irons  on  his  ankles.  The  forges  are  out  of  blast  at 
this  hour." 

"Well,  wait  till  morning,  but  do  it  bright  and 
early." 

"All  right,"  replied  Col.  Clare,  "I'll  have  it  done 
by  sunrise  or  before." 

After  these  officers  had  taken  their  departure,  the 
prisoners  crowded  around  me  and  affirmed  that  they 
believed  that  there  was  a  spy  in  the  house  in  the 
guise  of  a  prisoner.  With  entire  unanimity  they 
held  the  opinion  that  Aleck  Stephens  was  the  man. 
He  was  a  red-haired,  low-browed,  grim-visaged, 
freckle-faced,  hard-featured,  villainous  specimen  of 


TUPELO.  233 

the  genus  homo,  who  sat  reticent  in>a  corner,  peering 
from  under  his  bushy  eyebrows,  and  rejecting  all  fa- 
miliarity or  kind  offices  tendered  by  his  fellow-pris- 
oners. All  realized  that  I  must  escape  that  night  or 
it  would  be  too  late.  When  chained  to  a  bolt  in  the 
floor,  with  securely  welded  anklets  and  wearing  hand- 
cuffs, I  would  be  in  an  utterly  helpless  condition. 
There  were  eleven  guards  on  duty :  three  in  front  of 
each  door,  one  seated  upon  each  threshold,  and  one 
promenading  the  house,  which  was  lighted  during  the 
whole  night.  There  was  also  a  special  police  force 
on  duty,  as  some  Federal  prisoners  who  were  in  prison 
till  some  formalities  took  place  would  be  sent  in  the 
morning  to  Columbus,  Miss.,  and  it  was  feared  that 
they  might  attempt  to  escape  ere  they  were  sent  far- 
ther south.  I  was  seated  with  some  Federal  prison- 
ers, sending  messages  to  my  friends.  I  told  them 
that  I  would  slip  off  juy  chain,  run  by  the  guards, 
and  that  it  was  more  than  probable  that  I  would 
draw  their  fire  and  be  shot;  that  perhaps  my  man- 
gled corpse  would  be  brought  into  the  prison  in  a 
few  minutes.  I  asked  them  to  be  sure  to  inform  my 
friends  of  the  manner  of  my  death.  With  this  re- 
quest they  promised  faithfully  to  comply.  I  said, 
"  Farewell,  perhaps  forever,"  and  arose  to  make  the 
hazardous  attempt. 

At  this  moment  a  young  man  whom  we  nicknamed 
"Mississippi"  ran  up  to  me  and  said,  "Parson,  I 
think  I  have  found  a  way  by  which  you  may  escape." 
His  true  name,  I  think,  was  Leonard  Humphrey. 


234  TUPELO. 

Said  I,  "What  is  it?" 

He-replied,  "  I  was  out  in  the  front  enclosure,  and 
I  saw  a  hole  by  the  step  under  the  jail,  and  I  think 
you  could  get  under." 

"Why,"  I  replied,  "that  would  be  impossible. 
The  three  guards  standing  in  front  would  see  me; 
the  guard  seated  in  the  doorway  would  see  me ;  and 
in  their  presence  it  would  be  impossible  to  get  under 
the  building  without  discovery." 

"  I  thought  of  that,  and  while  you  was  preaching 
I  was  fixing  up  a  plan,  and  by  golly,  I  think  we  can 
get  you  off."  We  were  permitted  to  go  into  the  front 
enclosure,  three  at  a  time,  at  pleasure,  during  the 
day,  and  on  moonlight  nights  till  ten  o'clock.  He 
continued,  "I  must  have  help."  He  soon  secured 
the  requisite  number,  who,  at  the  risk  of  immediate 
death,  upon  discovery,  agreed  to  run  the  risk  for  my 
sake.  May  the  Lord  reward  .them. 

He  then  detailed  his  plan.  When  the  guard  prom- 
enading the  house  approached  we  talked  about  the 
price  of  cotton  .or  some  indifferent  topic.  When  he 
went  from  us  we  resumed  the  business  in  hand.  We 
all  promised  implicit  obedience.  Just  at  9:45  four 
of  us  went  out.  I  went  out  clanking  my  chains,  to 
lull  suspicion,  and  they  did  not  order  me  back,  as 
they  had  done  so  often  before.  The  rule  required  that 
but  three  be  permitted  to  be  in  the  enclosure  at  one 
time,  but  they  providentially  did  not  enforce  the  rule 
this  time.  My  three  fellow-prisoners  stood  between 
me  and  the  guards,  and  entered  into  a  fierce  discus- 


TUPELO.  235 

sion  with  them  in  regard  to  the  comparative  merit  of 
Mississippi  and  Tennessee  troops.  The  enclosures, 
in  front  and  rear,  were  formed  by  stakes  surmounted 
by  poles.  Their  form  was  a  parallelogram,  whose 
dimensions  were  about  ten  by  sixteen  feet.  The 
guards  became  much  excited,  and  the  discussion  was 
becoming  loud  and  acrimonious.  Howell  Trogden, 
a  prisoner,  sat  inside  and  held  the  guard  in  conversa- 
tion, who  was  seated  on  the  threshold.  I  sat  by  the 
aperture  under  the  building,  removed  my  chain,  put 
my  legs  under  the  building,  and  leaned  my  head 
upon  my  elbow,  my  elbow  upon  the  step,  upon  which 
rested  the  guard's  feet,  who  was  seated  upon  the 
threshold  of  the  prison  door.  My  fellow-pris- 
oners, in  a  wordy  war  with  the  guards,  were 
diverting  their  attention,  with  every  appearance  of 
success.  I  reflected  that  a  few  moments  would 
decide  my  fate.  If  detected  in  this  forlorn  hope, 
this  last  attempt  with  any  prospect  of  success,  I 
must  end  my  life  ignominiously  upon  the  scaffold. 
In  the  early  morning  my  anklets  would  be  securely 
welded;  I  would  be  handcuffed  and  chained  to  a  bolt 
in  the  floor  of  our  gloomy  dungeon.  Then  all  hope 
must  end,  and  soon  my  corpse  would  be  borne  into 
the  presence  of  her  whose  tears  were  flowing,  and 
who  refused  to  be  comforted,  because  of  my  ominous 
absence. 

'Tis  ten  o'clock;  I  hear  the  order  for  the  relief 
guard.  They  come ;  I  see  their  bayonets  glittering 
in  the  bright  moonlight.  The  set  time,  the  appointed 


236  TUPELO. 

moment,  pregnant  with  my.  fate,  had  arrived.  I 
offered  an  ejaculatory  prayer  to  Him  who  sits  upon 
the  throne  of  heaven  for  protection  at  this  critical 
moment.  The  guards  stood  within  ten  feet  of  me. 
Now  they  look  steadily  at  me.  I  return  their  gaze. 
The  relief  guard  has  confronted  them.  They  turn 
to  receive  it.  At  that  moment  I  moved  backward 
under  the  building  and  disappeared  from  view.  The 
new  guard  enter  upon  their  duty.  The  old  guard, 
without  a  backward  glance,  march  away.  The 
prisoners  are  ordered  into  the  dungeon.  The  guards 
see  but  three,  and  know  that  that  is  the  highest  num- 
ber permitted  by  regulation  order  within  the  enclos- 
ure. They  did  not  suspect  that  four  had  been  suf- 
fered to  be  out,  in  violation  of  orders.  I  was  under 
the  prison,  but  there  were  vigilant  guards  on  every 
side.  We  were  in  the  midst  of  the  great  rebel  army. 
The  din  of  a  multitude  sounded  in  my  ears.  It  seemed 
almost  impossible  even  now  to  escape  detection.  Bur- 
dette  Danner  had  thrown  me  his  canteen,  but  it  struck 
against  the  prison  wall.  It  glittered  in  the  bright 
moonlight;  I  was  famishing  from  thirst,  but  I  feared 
to  seize  it,  though  I  knew  that  it  was  full  of  that 
precious  liquid  whose  price  was  now  estimated  far 
above  rubies.  I  did  not  wish  to  take  any  unneces- 
sary risk.  The  hand  protruding  from  under  the 
prison  would  probably  be  observed  by  the  guards 
and  excite  their  suspicion.  I  could  hear  their  lowest 
tones.  After  awhile  one  of  them  said,  "Gilmore,  I 
always  do  forget  the  countersign."  The  other  replied, 


TUPELO.  237 

"It  is  (  Braxton'  for  to-night."  Though  uttered  in 
an  undertone,  I  caught  it.  "  Well,"  replied  his  com- 
rade, I  thought  it  "was  '  Braxton,'  or  '  Bragg/  or  some- 
thing like  that.  I  won't  forgit  it  agin." 

I  crawled  to  the  north  side  of  the  prison,  and 
found  that  there  were  three  apertures  which  would 
admit  my  egress.  Upon  reaching  the  first,  I  found 
that  the  guards  were  so  numerous  and  so  close,  that 
it  would  be  extremely  hazardous  .to  run  the  risk  at 
this  point.  Crawling  to  the  second,  I  remained  till 
there  was  comparative  quiet.  But  at  the  instant  I  was 
about  to  creep  out,  a  soldier,  who  was  lying  with  his 
face  toward  me,  sat  up  and  commenced  coughing, 
and  continued  to  cough  at  intervals  for  more  than  an 
hour.  Finding  it  unadvisable  to  run  the  risk  of 
detection  at  this  point,  I  made  my  way  with  con- 
siderable difficulty  to  the  third  and  last  aperture, 
near  the  rear  of  the  prison,  and  not  far  distant  from 
the  guards  in  the  rear  enclosure.  Here  exhausted 
nature  could  hold  out  no  longer,  and  I  slept.  How 
long  I  know  not.  The  vermin  and  the  cold  awoke 
me.  Presently  I  heard  one  soldier  say  to  another. 
(/  It  is  3  o'clock  in  the  morning  and  we  will  have  to 
go  on  duty."  I  felt  confident  that  then  was  my  time 
or  never.  Morning  would  soon  appear,  and  my 
escape  would  be  discovered  and  my  re-arrest  follow. 
Commending  myself  into  the  hands  of  God,  and 
pleading  that  he  would  mercifully  keep  me  from 
detection,  and  grant  me  safe  conduct  through  this 
mighty  host  of  watchful  foes,  I  arose  from  under 


238  TUPELO. 

the  building,  and  in  passing  two  sleeping  soldiers 
lying  within  four  feet  of  the  prison  wall,  I  struck 
my  foot  against  the  head  of  one  of  them.  I  had  not 
walked  for  so  long  a  time  without  a  chain,  which 
necessarily  compelled  me  to  make  such  short  steps, 
that  I  reeled  as  if  under  the  influence  of  intoxicants, 
when  freed  from  it.  This  made  me  swerve  from  my 
intended  course  and  strike  with  my  foot  the  head  of 
the  somnolent  guard.  He  awoke,  and  looking  at  me 

in  the  bright  moonlight,  said,  "D n  you,  don't 

do  that  again."  He  turned  over  and  resumed  his 
slumbers.  He  doubtless  mistook  me  for  one  of  his 
comrades,  who,  in  his  awkwardness,  had  made  the 
unintentional  assault. 

In  prison  I  had  purchased  a  shirt,  paying  eleven 
dollars  in  gold  "for  it,  which  resembled  that  worn  by 
many  rebel  soldiers.  This  doubtless  contributed  to 
my  escape,  by  warding  off  suspicion,  which  would 
have  been  aroused  at  once,  if  I  had  appeared  in  their 
midst  in  citizen's  dress.  I  was  also  wearing  McHat- 
ton's  dark-colored  pants.  After  proceeding  a  few 
steps  I  sat  down  by  a  stump,  around  which  a  number 
of  guards  were  collected,  some  standing,  some  sitting, 
and  some  reclining.  To  appear  at  ease  I  took  my 
knife  from  my  pocket  and  commenced  to  whittle  the 
stump  and  to  whistle.  This  apparent  unconcern 
may  have  deceived  them,  and  contributed  to  ward  off 
or  allay  suspicion.  It  was  an  almost  unparalleled 
wonder  that  some  of  them  did  not  observe  me  emerge 
from  underneath  the  prison,  as  the  moon  was  shining 


TUPELO.  239 

brightly  and  they  were  very  near  the  prison  wall  in 
great  numbers.  Doubtless  God  had  held  their  eyes 
or  obscured  their  vision.  I  soon  arose,  returned  my 
knife  to  my  pocket,  and  wound  my  way  cautiously 
among  the  various  groups,  endeavoring  to  reach  the 
corn  field  to  which  I  had  made  my  first  escape.  I 
endeavored  to  see  every  vidette  before  he  perceived 
me.  I  had  some  narrow  risks  in  passing  them.  As 
I  came  near  the  corn  field,  a  vidette,  who  had  been 
concealed  behind  a  tree,  appeared,  evidently  with  the 
intention  of  halting  me  if  I  approached  nearer.  I 
halted  without  the  order.  If  he  had  given  the  com- 
mand to  halt,  I  should  have  given  the  countersign, 
Braxton,  which  I  had  learned  while  under  the 
prison,  and  then  have  made  some  excuse  for  wander- 
ing away  from  my  comrades.  To  avoid  suspicion  I 
resorted  to  a  ruse  which  I  cannot  narrate.  It  proved 
successful.  I,  after  a  time,  started  toward  the  prison, 
till,  seeing  videttes  in  front,  I  fell  upon  the  ground 
and  deflected  from  my  course  toward  the  prison. 
After  passing  through  many  perils  and  hair-breadth 
escapes,  as  the  least  blunder  would  have  proved  fatal, 
I  reached  the  dense  woods  and  bore  south-west. 
Kneeling  down  under  a  larch  tree,  I  returned  God 
thanks  for  thus  far  crowning  my  efforts  with  success, 
and  most  earnestly  besought  Him  to  continue  His 
kind  protecting  care,  to  choose  my  path  before  me, 
and  make  it  safe,  that  I  might  escape  detection  and 
be  permitted  to  rejoin  my  family  and  friend?  in 
safety.  I  had  asked  Him  in  prison  to  lengthen  my 
life  by  fifteen  years,  as  he  did  Hezekiah's. 


240  TUPELO. 

I  now  pursued  my  journey  rapidly  in  a  south- 
westerly direction,  choosing  that  which  led  directly 
from  my  home  for  two  reasons.  The  cavalry,  with 
the  blood-hounds,  would  not  probably  be  sent  in 
that  direction.  After  listening  attentively  while  in 
prison  to  the  reveille  and  tattoo,  and  the  din  from 
the  surrounding  camps,  I  thought  the  coast  was 
clearest  in  that  direction,  and  that  I  could,  by  taking 
that  route,  with  the  greater  ease  evade  the  rebel 
pickets.  I  hastened  onward  with  all  possible  speed, 
avoiding  roads,  till  the  sun  arose.  As  I  was  rapidly 
traveling  along  a  narrow  path,  I  suddenly  met  a 
negro.  He  was  scared.  So  was  I.  I,  in  a  per- 
emptory tone,  addressed  him  in  quick  succession,  the 
following  questions : 

"  Where  are  you  going  ?  Where  have  you  been  ? 
To  whom  do  you  belong?  Have  you  a  pass?" 

"I  belong/'  said  the  boy,  trembling,  "to  Col. 
Kohlheim,  I  have  been  to  wife's  house,  and  am 
gwine  back  to  Massa's." 

He  handed  me  his  pass  which  read  :  "The  bearer, 
Tabor,  has  permission  to  go  to  Major  Smith's  to  visit 
his  wife  and  return.  Good  till  to-morrow  evening, 
the inst," 

"  Well,  sir,"  said  he,  as  I  handed  him  his  pass, 
"  you  see  it  am  all  right  wid  me." 

Concluding  that  it  was  not  all  right  "  wid  "  myself 
I  hurried  on.  Tabor  called  to  me  ere  I  had  gone 
twenty  yards.  I  halted.  He  came  up  and  asked  me 
if  "  dis  bill  (presenting  one  on  a  Tennessee  bank)  was 


TUPELO.  241 

good."     "  Good  as  the  bank,"  said  I,  and  hurried 
onward,  speedily  leaving  the  path  and  turning  into 
a  dense  woods.'    Traveling  on   till  about  12  P.M., 
judging  from  the  vertical  rays  of  the  sun,  I  came  to 
an  open  champaign  country,  through  which  I  could 
not  travel  with  safety,  in  daylight.     I  sought  a  place 
in  which  to  hide,  and  discovering  a  ditch  which  bi- 
sected a  corn-field,  I  concealed  myself  in  that.    Many 
passed  near  me  during  the  day.     I  was  very  hun- 
gry.    Sullivan   and   Soper,    Federal   prisoners    had 
each  given  me,  before  leaving  prison,  a  small  piece  of 
bread,  which  they  had  in  their  haversacks  when  cap- 
tured.    I  found  both  pieces  were  saturated  with  to- 
bacco.   The  prisoner  with  whom   I  had  exchanged 
pants  used  tobacco,  and  had  carried   some  in  both 
pockets.     As  tobacco    is    very    offensive   to   me,  its 
presence  upon  my  bread  caused  me  to  lose  it.     I  re- 
flected on  the  best  course  to  pursue  in  order  to  secure 
the  greatest  degree  of  safety  i  n  my  flight.    I  thought  at 
one  time  that  it  would  be  best  to  go  west   until  I 
reached  the  Mississippi  river,  then  hail  a  gun-boat 
and  thus  be  saved,  but  I  reflected  that  I  was  a  long, 
long  distance  from  that  river — that  there  was  the  great 
Mississippi  bottom  to  pass  through,  which  was  full 
of  lagoons,  lakes,  bayous,  and  swamps,  and  that  it 
was  infested   with  bears,  rattlesnakes,  vipers,  bull- 
snakes,  centipedes,  tarantulas,  and  venomous  reptiles, 
and  wild  beasts  of  many  kinds.     I  would  also  have 
to  swim  across  the  Yazoo  and  Tallahatchie  rivers, 
which  I  feared  I  could  not  do,  enfeebled  as  I  would 
16 


1242  TUPELO. 

be  when  I  reached  those  rivers,  and  encumbered  as  I 
was  with  the  heavy  iron  bands.  The  day  ended  and 
the  night  came.  The  stars,  those  beautiful  nocturnal 
luminaries,  came  out  in  silent  glory,  one  by  one. 
Fixing  my  eye  upon  the  polar  star,  the  underground 
railroad  traveler's  guide,  I  set  out  bearing  a  little  to 
the  west  of  north.  I  soon  reached  the  thick  woods 
and  found  it  very  difficult  to  make  rapid  progress, 
in  consequence  of  the  dense  undergrowth  and  obscure 
light.  The  bushes  would  strike  me  in  the  eyes,  and 
often  the  top  of  a  fallen  tree  would  compel  me  to 
make  quite  a  circuit.  Soon,  however,  the  moon  ap- 
peared in  her  brightness — the  old  silver  moon.  But 
her  light  I  found  to  be  by  far  less  brilliant  than  that  of 
.the  sun,  and  her  rays  were  much  obscured  by  the  dense 
foliage  overhead,  hence  my  progress  was  necessarily 
slow,  labored,  and  toilsome.  During  the  day  I  had  slept 
but  little,  in  consequence  of  the  proximity  of  those 
who  might  be  bitter  foes,  and  also  because  of  the  un- 
pleasant position  I  occupied,  as  the  ditch  in  which  I 
had  concealed  myself  was  muddy  and  proved  a  very 
uncomfortable  bed.  I  therefore  became  weary,  my 
limbs  stiff  from  travel  and  from  the  pressure  of  the 
heavy  iron  bands.  Sleep  overpowered  me,  and  I  lay 
down  in  the  leaves  and  slept  till  the  cold  awoke  me. 
I  slept  an  hour  and  a  half,  as  I  judged  from  the 
moon's  descent.  The  nights  arc  invariably  cool  in 
Mississippi,  however  sultry  may  have  been  the 
weather  during  the  day.  Arising  from  my  uneasy 
slumber  I  pressed  on.  My  thirst,  which  had  for 


TUPELO.  243 

some  time  been  increasing,  now  became  absolutely 
unendurable.  I  knew  not  where  to  get  water,  not 
daring  to  go  near  a  well  for  fear  of  arrest.  I  must 
obtain  water  or  perish.  At  length  I  heard  some 
sucking  pigs  and  their  dam  at  a  short  distance  from 
me  in  the  woods.  There  seemed  to  be  no  alterna- 
tive. I  must  either  perish  or  obtain  some  fluid  to 
slake  my  raging  thirst,  so  I  resolved  to  catch  one  of 
the  little  pigs,  cut  its  throat,  and  drink  the  blood.  I 
searched  for  my  knife,  but  ascertained  that  I  had 
lost  it.  I  was  therefore  reluctantly  compelled  to 
abandon  my  designs  upon  the  suckling's  life.  As  I 
went  forward,  the  sow  and  her  brood  started  up 
alarmed,  and  in  their  fright  plunged  into  water.  I 
followed  fast  and  found  a  mud-hole — a  perfect  lob- 
lolly. The  water  was  tepid,  foul,  and  mingled  with 
the  spawn  of  frogs.  Removing  the  green  scum,  I 
drank  deep  of  the  stagnant  pool.  My  thirst  was 
only  partially  allayed  by  this  foul  draught,  and  soon 
returned.  As  day  dawned,  I  found  some  sassafras 
leaves,  which  I  chewed  to  allay  the  pangs  of  hunger, 
but  they  formed  a  paste  which  I  could  not  swallow. 
I  remembered  that  this  day  was  the  holy  Sabbath, 
but  it  brought  neither  rest  to  my  weary  frame,  nor 
composure  to  my  agitated  and  excited  mind. 

The  course  decided  upon  as  safest  and  best  was  to 
go  far  to  the  south  and  west,  and  there  wait  till  the 
cavalry  had  returned  from  their  search  for  me,  then 
by  a  very  circuitous  route  to  endeavor  to  reach  the 
Memphis  and  Charlestown  railroad,  find  some  Fed- 


244  TUPELO. 

eral  outpost  on  that  road,  and  thus  be  saved.  About 
ten  o'clock  I  came  to  an  open  country,  and  sought  a 
place  to  conceal  myself.  I  found  a  dense  copse  on  a 
hillside,  and  hid  within  its  friendly  depths.  I  had 
about  departed  to  the  realm  of  dreams  when  I  heard 
the  voice  of  song.  A  human  voice  quickly  aroused 
me.  I  peered  out  from  my  lair,  and  on  an  opposite 
hill  I  saw  a  gigantic  Ethiopian  making  his  way  la- 
boriously. He  had  a  plank  in  his  hands,  there  was 
one  underneath  him  upon  which  he  was  walking. 
When  he  reached  the  end  of  it,  he  laid  down  the 
plank  he  bore  in  his  hands,  stepped  upon  it,  and 
reaching  back  he  lifted  the  other  plank,  and  thus  he 
wended  his  way.  He  accompanied  his  task  by  sing- 
ing a  song  heard  often  upon  every  southern  plan- 
tation : 

My  ole  missus  promise  me, 

Dat  when  she  die,  she'd  set  me  free, 

But  she  dun  dead  this  many  year  ago, 

An'  yer  I'm  a  hoin  de  same  ole  row. 

Run,  nigger,  run,  de  patter-roller  ketch  you, 

Run,  nigger,  run,  hit's  almos'  day. 

I'm  a  hoin  across,  I'm  a  hoin  aroun', 

I'm  a  cleanin  up  some  mo'  newgroun*, 

Whar  I  lif  so  hard,  I  lif  so  free, 

Dat  my  sins  rises  up  in  fronter  me. 

Oh,  run,  nigger,  run,  de  patter-roller  ketch  yon, 

Run,  nigger,  run,  hit's  almos'  day. 

But  some  ob  dese  days  my  time  will  come, 
I'll  year  dat  bugle,  I'll  year  dat  drum, 
I'll  see  dern  armies  a  marchin'  along, 
I'll  lif  my  head  an'  jineder  soug. 


TUPELO.  245 

I'll  hide  no  more  behind  dat  tree, 

When  the  angels  flock  ter  wait  on  me. 

Oh,  run,  nigger,  run,  de  patter-roller  ketch  you. 

Eun,  nigger,  run,  hit's  almos'  day. 

As  he  laid  down  his  plank  and  stepped  upon  it, 
it  slid  from  under  his  feet  and  he  fell  prone  upon 
the  ground.  He  jumped  up  and  sang: 

1 '  If  Charley  slip  upon  his  track 
Der's  danger  de  hounds  will  bring  him  back, 
Oh,  run  nigger,  run,  de  patter-roller  ketch  you, 
Run,  nigger,  run.  hit's  almos'  day." 

Thus  he  improvised  his  song  as  he  wended  his 
weary  way.  He  was  trying  to  evade  the  hounds  by 
thus  leaving  no  scent  for  them  to  follow.  As  he 
passed  me  he  sang : 

"De  pore  white  trash  dey  lives  an'  grows, 
Dey  noze  far  less  dan  the  nigger  noze." 

Then  he  sang  the  chorus  with  a  will : 

"  My  name's  Sam,  I  don't  care  a  d — n, 

I'd  radder  be  a  nigger,  dan  a  pore  white  man." 

He  look  around  in  alarm,  and  muttered,  "Old 
Charley  aiwa's  dun  furgit  hizsef  when  he  sings  dat 
song."  He  then  passed  onward  in  silence,  carrying 
his  planks  with  him. 

A  singular  noise  attracting  attention,  as  I  gazed 
up  the  hill  I  saw  a  man  descend  from  a  tree  and  look 
around  warily.  As  he  passed  near  me,  I  called  out, 
in  a  low  tone,  Taisez  vous. 

Quickly  glancing  in  my  direction,  he  replied, 
"  Out,  oul" 


246  TUPELO. 

I  bade  him  come  to  me.  He  did  so.  He  had 
been  in  hiding  for  a  month,  and  becoming  hungry 
he  left  his  lofty  perch  to  procure  the  food  that  would 
be  left  at  the  designated  spot  by  his  wife  or  eldest 
daughter.  He  told  me  to  await  his  return  and  he 
would  share  his  food  with  me,  and  he  assured  me  of 
all  possible  aid.  As  he  emerged  from  the  jungle,  a 
man  with  fierce  aspect  confronted  him.  He  told  him 
to  throw  up  his  hands.  I  had  accompanied  him  and 
was  about  to  retreat  with  all  possible  speed,  but  the 
thought  of  abandoning  my  friend  restrained  me.  I 
determined  to  stand  by  him  and  abide  the  result. 
My  friend  refused  to  throw  up  his  hands.  He  said 
he  preferred  to  die  there  and  then  in  preference  to 
submitting  to  be  bound.  This  man,  who  I  learned 
was  known  as  Col.  Ned  Barry,  ordered  us  to  march 
in  front  of  him,  or  if  we  hesitated  he  would  let  us 
have  the  contents  of  his  revolvers.  We  obeyed, 
hoping  to  escape  by  darting  into  the  woods  at  some 
suitable  point,  or  by  some  providential  deliverance. 

As  we  neared  a  large  tree,  Col.  Barry  said  :  "  Israel 
Nelson,  I've  been  prowlin'  around  arter  you  for 
more'n  three  weeks.  Now,  sir,  you  got  ter  go  two 
miles  from  here,  an'  Gen.  Yerger  will  be  d — d  glad 
ter  see  yer."  He  turned  around  to  make  this  little 
speech.  As  he  closed,  and  was  about  to  advance, 
a  dusky  form  suddenly  sprang  from  behind  the  tree, 
a  bludgeon  descended  swiftly  upon  the  Colonel's 
skull,  and  our  would-be  captor  lay  unconscious  at 
our  feet.  We  found  cords  in  his  pockets  and  securely 


TUPELO.  247 

bound  our  fallen  foe.  Soon  he  returned  to  conscious- 
ness, and  begged  piteously  for  his  life.  We  took 
possession  of  hi*  weapons.  A  little  boy  of  ten  years 
of  age  appeared  on  the  scene.  He  came  to  find  his 
father.  He  told  him  that  ma  wanted  him  to  come 
to  the  house  at  once,  there  was  strangers  there  to  see 
him.  What  should  we  do  to  secure  our  own  safety. 
Nelson  proposed  shooting  both  father  and  son.  Wo 
took  them  both  to  the  copse,  and  with  the  aid  of  this 
Ethiopian,  who  had  appeared  at  an  opportune  mo- 
ment, gagged  both  father  and  son,  and  bound  them 
to  the  same  tree.  I  urged  Nelson  to  escape  with  me, 
and  to  leave  these  persons  bound.  He  replied  that 
he  must  see  his  wife,  and  that  he  would  go  to  the 
trysting  place,  and  she  would  probably  be  there,  or 
in  case  she  was  not  there,  he  would  find  a  note 
secreted  near  by.  The  note  was  there,  but  contained 
no  special  information.  Nothing  but  words  of  com- 
fort and  affectionate  sympathy. 

We  heard  hounds,  and  feared  to  return  to  our 
prisoners  for  a  long  time.  The  African,  Charley, 
had  left  us,  and  as  night  had  dropped  down  upon 
the  scene  we  cautiously  returned  to  the  copse. 

I  hope  never  again  to  witness  such  a  ghastly  sight. 
The  mangled  remains  of  father  and  son  were  still  ad- 
hering to  the  tree.  Fierce  hounds  had  torn  them  to 
pieces.  I  could  no  longer  stay  to  gaze  upon  this  sad 
tragedy.  Nelson  told  me  that  he  had  resolved  to  shoot 
them  both,  as  his  safety  and  mine  would  be  compro- 
mised by  sparing  their  lives.  I  am  glad  that  the 


248  TUPELO. 

terrible  necessity  was  obviated.  Nelson  refused  to 
abandon  his  family,  and  I  could  no  longer  delay,  so 
hastened  onward. 

The  dismal  night  passed  away.  I  found  a  place 
to  hide — a  ditch  as  usual.  I  slept,  and  saw  in  my 
dreams  tables  groaning  under  the  weight  of  the  most 
delicious  viands,  and  brooks  of  crystal  waters  bab- 
bling and  sparkling  as  they  rushed  onward  in  their 
meandering  course,  but  when  I  attempted  to  grasp 
them  they  served  me  as  Tantalus  of  olden  time  was 
served,  by  vanishing  into  thin  air  or  receding  from 
my  grasp.  While  lying  here,  I  was  occasionally 
aroused  by  the  trampling  of  horses  grazing  in  the 
fields,  which  I  feared  might  be  bringing  on  my  pur- 
suers. Once  the  voices  of  men  mingled  with  the  sound 
of  prancing  steeds  upon  a  little  bridge  some  twenty 
feet  distant,  induced  me  to  look  out  from  my  hiding 
place,  and  lo !  two  cavalry  men,  perhaps  hunting  for 
my  life,  passed  along. 

When  the  sun  had  reached  the  zenith,  I  was  again 
startled  by  voices,  which  approached  nearer  and  still 
nearer  my  place  of  concealment,  till  at  length  the 
cause  was  discovered.  Several  children,  both  black 
and  white,  had  come  from  a  farm  house  about  a 
quarter  of  a  mile  distant  to  gather  blackberries  along 
the  margin  of  the  ditch.  They  soon  discovered  me 
and  seemed  somewhat  startled  and  alarmed  at  my 
appearance.  I  soon  saw  them  gazing  down  upon  me 
in  niy  moist  bed,  with  evident  amazement  and  alarm. 
Pallid,  haggard,  unshaven,  and  covered  with  mud,  I 


TUPELO.  249 

must  have  presented  a  frightful  picture.  As  soon  as 
the  children  passed  me,  fearing  the  report  they  would 
carry  home,  I  arose  from  my  lair  and  hastened 
onward.  After  traveling  three  or  four  miles  I  came 
to  a  dense  woods  bordering  a  stream,  which  had 
ceased  running  in  consequence  of  the  unprecedented 
drought  that  had  for  a  long  time  prevailed  throughout 
this  section  of  Mississippi.  The  creek  had  been  a 
large  one,  and  in  the  deep  cavities  some  water  still 
remained.  Though  warm  and  covered  with  a  thick 
green  scum,  and  mingled  with  the  spawn  of  frogs,  I 
drank  it  from  sheer  necessity,  tepid  and  unwholesome 
as  it  was.  It  did  not  allay  my  thirst,  but  created  a 
nausea  which  was  very  unpleasant.  After  traveling 
several  hours,  I  came  to  a  place  where  was  a  depres- 
sion in  the  ground.  I  thought  I  might  possibly 
find  water.  Soon  the  sight  of  water  gladdened  me, 
but  it  was  stagnant  and  covered  with  a  thick,  greenish, 
yellowish  scum.  As  I  approached  it  I  was  startled 
by  seeing  the  tracks  of  some  one  who  I  thought  might 
have  been  a  fugitive  like  myself.  By  closely  observ- 
ing the  footsteps  and  the  surroundings,  I  discerned 
this  to  be  the  place  I  had  left  hours  ago.  I  was 
traveling  in  a  circle.  My  bewildered  brain  had  lost 
its  power  to  locate  accurately  the  cardinal  points. 

About  4  o'clock  P.M.  I  was  startled  by  the  baying 
of  blood-hounds  behind  me,  and  apparently  upon  my 
track.  Before  escaping  from  jail  I  had  been  advised 
by  my  fellow-prisoners  to  procure  some  onions,  as 
these  rubbed  upon  the  soles  of  my  boots  would  meas- 


250  TUPELO. 

urably  destroy  the  scent.  These  could  only  be  pro- 
cured by  visiting  a  garden,  and  I  feared  to  approach 
so  near  a  house.  I  had  not  left  any  clothing  in 
prison  from  which  the  hounds  could  obtain  (he  scent 
so  as  to  recognize  my  track,  and  my  starting  in  a 
south-western  direction  was  an  additional  precaution 
against  blood-hounds.  Having  heard  them  almost 
every  night  for  years,  as  they  hunted  down  the  fugi- 
tive slave,  I  could  not  mistake  the  fearful  import  of 
their  howling.  I  could  devise  no  plan  for  breaking 
the  trail.  Daniel  Boone,  when  pursued  by  Indians, 
succeeded  in  baffling  the  dogs  with  which  they  pur- 
sued him  by  laying  hold  of  overhanging  branches  and 
swinging  himself  forward.  One  slave  on  Dick's  river 
in  Kentucky,  near  Danville,  Boyle  Co.,  ran  along  the 
brink  of  a  precipice,  and  dug  a  recess  back  from  the 
narrow  path.  Crawling  into  it,  he  remained  concealed 
till  the  hounds  reached  that  point,  when  he  thrust 
them  from  the  path.  They  fell  and  were  dashed  to 
pieces  upon  the  jagged  rocks  below.  Some  slaves,  be- 
fore escaping,  provide  themselves  with  a  large  sup- 
ply of  cayenne  pepper.  When  the  hounds  are  heard 
in  pursuit  they  set  down  their  heels  with  considerable 
force  so  as  to  make  as  deep  an  impression  as  possible; 
they  then  sprinkle  their  tracks  with  the  cayenne  pep- 
per. The  hounds,  in  rapid  pursuit,  inhale  the  pep- 
per. It  produces  such  pain  and  irritation  that  they 
will  not  pursue  any  fugitive  for  months,  and  even 
then  with  caution  so  great  that  they  are  nearly  worth- 
less as  negro  dogs. 


TUPELO.  251 

None  of  these  plans  were  practicable,  and  I  believed 
death  imminent,  either  from  being  torn  to  pieces  by 
the  hounds  or  by  being  shot  by  the  cavalry  who  were 
following  hard  after  them.  Climbing  a  tree,  I  re- 
solved to  die  rather  than  be  taken  back  to  Tupelo  to 
suffer  death  on  the  gallows  in  the  presence  of  a  hoot- 
ing, howling,  mixed  multitude  of  infuriate  demons.  I 
knew  that  upon  my  refusal  to  come  down  from  the 
tree  a  volley  from  their  carbines  would  end  my  life. 
The  tree  into  which  I  had  climbed  was  a  large  black 
oak ;  a  j  uniper  tree  stood  on  a  knoll  between  the  oak 
and  the  route  by  which  my  pursuers  would  approach. 
The  oak  would  afford  perfect  concealment  from  obser- 
vation till  my  pursuers  stood  underneath  the  tree, 
then,  by  peering  into  its  umbrageous  recesses  on  all 
sides,  my  presence  would  be  discovered.  Oh  !  how  I 
wished  for  my  navy  repeater,  that  I  might  sell  my 
life  as  dearly  as  possible — that  ere  I  was  slain  I 
might  make  some  secessionist  bite  the  dust.  I  thought 
of  the  couplet  in  the  old  song : 

The  hounds  are  baying  on  my  track, 
Christian,  will  you  send  me  back? 

A  feeling  of  deep  sympathy  arose  in  my  heart  for 
the  poor  slave  who,  in  his  endeavor  to  escape  from 
the  iron  furnace  of  southern  slavery,  encountered  the 
blood-hounds  and  was  torn  to  pieces  by  them.  A 
fellow  feeling  makes  us  wondrous  kind.  A  touch  01 
sympathy  makes  all  the  world  akin.  Now  I  hear 
the  deep-mouthed  baying  of  the  hounds.  The  pack 
is  large,  and  they  realize  that  the  object  of  their 


252  TUPELO. 

search  is  near.  I  see  them  now  on  the  crest  of  the 
hill  but  a  mile  distant.  Down  the  hill  they  plunge. 
The  cavalry  follow  hard  after  them.  Men  and  dogs 
seem  intent  upon  their  fell  purpose.  Soon  they  will 
seize  their  prey,  their  hapless  victim  is  almost  within 
their  grasp.  These  fierce  dragoons  are  mentally 
gloating  over  the  reward  which  they  will  receive  for 
their  bloody  work.  Success  will  be  achieved  ere  ten 
minutes  elapse.  All  hasten  forward  to  be  in  at  the 
death.  Must  I  die  as  the  fool  dieth  ?  Like  Jezebel, 
my  blood  lapped  by  dogs,  and  my  body  devoured  by 
these  fierce  blood-hounds  and  those  wild  swine  feed- 
ing near?  My  friends  will  never  learn  how  I  per- 
ished, and  'tis  better  they  should  not  know  the 
horrible  circumstances  attending  my  death.  Oh ! 
that  I  could  see  my  dear  wife  and  darling  Kate,  to 
kiss  them  a  final  farewell  ere  the  tragic  scene  closes 
forever  all  my  hopes  of,  and  aspirations  for,  a  long 
and  happy  life  in  their  society.  Now  the  hounds 
appear  on  the  further  brink  of  a  ravine,  a  few  hun- 
dred yards  distant,  a  ravine  I  had  crossed  a  short 
time  before.  Their  loud  baying,  their  quick,  sharp 
yelps  rang  with  frightful  clearness  on  the  summer 
air.  All  hope  of  escape  died  within  my  bosom. 
There  seemed  to  be  a  pack  of  forty  fierce  hounds  as 
they  leaped  down  the  steep  declivity.  I  waited  in 
terrible  suspense  their  advent  on  the  hither  bank. 
The  cavalry,  with  rattling  sabers  and  glittering  car- 
bines, appeared  on  the  farther  bank,  and  halting  on 
the  brink  found  the  declivity  too  steep  to  attempt 


TUPELO.  253 

the  descent  on  horseback.  A  number  dismounted 
and  speedily  disappeared  within  the  ravine.  Two 
gray  foxes,  driven  from  their  covert  by  the  noise  of 
pursuit,  ran  by  the  tree  in  which  I  was  concealed, 
and  plunged  into  a  cacti  copse.  A  half-dozen  men 
appeared  upon  the  crest  nearest  me.  The  hounds 
were  yet  howling  in  the  glen.  They  were  bearing 
eastward,  up  the  ravine,  and  soon  the  dismounted 
dragoons  recrossed,  and  remounting  began  to  follow 
in  that  direction.  On,  on  they  went,  with  precipitate 
speed.  The  howling  of  the  hounds  and  the  yelling 
and  horrid  noise  indicated  that  they  were  receding  in 
the  distance.  Fainter  and  fainter  the  breezes  bore  to 
my  ears  the  echoes  of  pursuit,  till  at  length  they  were 
lost  in  the  distance,  and  I  was  mercifully  saved  from 
a  violent  and  horrid  death.  How  had  Divine  Prov- 
idence interposed  in  my  behalf!  It  long  remained 
a  mystery.  A  negro  fugitive,  escaping  from  slavery, 
had  crossed  my  path — had  gone  up  the  ravine.  The 
hounds  will  always  leave  the  track  of  a  white  man 
for  that  of  a  negro.  On  the  next  afternoon  they 
caught  the  poor  slave,  who  had  concealed  himself  in 
a  tree,  and  returned  him  to  bondage.  His  master 
lived  in  Natchez,  Adams  Co.,  and  this  bov,  Jinjro 

v    /  O 

Dick,  had  absconded  three  months  before  his  capture. 
I  climbed  down  from  the  oak,  and  sat  under  the 
juniper  tree.  I  sat  under  it  a  long  time,  returning 
thanks  to  God  for  my  deliverance  from  a  horrible 
death,  yet  depressed  with  the  apparently  hopeless 
prospect  of  ever  evading  my  pursuers  and  reaching 
a  place  of  ultimate  safety. 


254  TUPELO. 

Soon  a  mocking  bird  from  a  neighboring  tree  began 
to  sing.  He  seemed  to  mock  me  in  my  agony. 
When  he  ceased,  a  bird  perched  in  the  highest 
branches  of  the  same  tree  poured  from  its  little  throat 
a  song  of  hope — the  sweetest  song  I  ever  heard,  and 
then  another  and  another  joined  in  glad  refrain,  till  the 
whole  grove  grew  vocal  with  their  notes  of  joy.  My 
soul,  responsive  to  these  glad  strains,  grew  hopeful, 
and  I,  leaving  more  than  half  my  weary  burden  of 
care,  trudged  on,  homeward  bound.  After  awhile  I 
became  bewildered,  but  soon  peeping  from  a  flowery 
dell  I  saw  the  yellow  compass  flower.  Its  polary  prop- 
erty I  knew.  And  true  as  the  magnetic  needle  it 
pointed  the  way  to  the  desired  haven.  Coming  to  a 
hazel  dell  I  saw  the  patriotic  pimpernel.  Its  flowers 
of  red,  white,  and  blue  were  closed,  and  I  knew  that  a 
storm  was  impending.  Soon  the  sky  became  overcast. 
Dark,  threatening,  murky  clouds  o'erspread  the  sky 
and  shut  out  the  sun.  Oh !  that  the  rain  might  fall 
in  torr,  nts.  I  could  then  assuage  my  burning,  rag- 
ing thirst.  On  a  distant  hill  I  saw  it  falling,  but 
only  a  few  drops  reached  me,  and  my  consuming 
thirst  remained  unquenched.  I  had  the  same  sensa- 
tions as  Burton,  one  of  the  explorers  of  the  Dark 
Continent.  He  says,  "For  twenty  hours  we  did 
not  taste  water,  the  sun  parched  our  brains  and  the 
mirage  mocked  us  at  every  turn."  As  I  jogged 
along,  with  eyes  shut  against  the  fiery  air,  every  im- 
age that  came  to  my  mind  was  of  water ;  water  in 
the  cool  well,  water  bubbling  from  the  rock,  water 


TUPELO.  255 

rippling  in  shady  streams,  water  in  clear  lakes,  invitr 
ing  me  to  plunge  in  and  bathe.  Now  a  cloud  seemed 
to  shower  upon  me  drops  more  precious  than  pearls, 
then  an  unseen  hand  seemed  to  offer  me  a  cup,  which 
I  would  have  given  all  I  was  worth  to  receive.  But 
what  a  dreary,  dreadful  contrast.  I  opened  my  eyes 
to  a  heat-reeking  plain  and  a  sky  of  that  deep  blue 
so  lovely  to  painter  and  poet,  so  full  of  death  to  us 
whose  only  desire  was  rain  and  tempest.  I  tried  to 
pray  but  could  not.  I  tried  to  think,  but  I  had  only 
one  idea — water,  water,  water.  A  cup  of  cold  water. 
Oh !  how  precious.  No  comparison  is  adequate  to 
express  its  worth.  But  I  will  trust  Him  who  is  able 
to  supply  all  my  needs. 

"  When  first  before  his  mercy  seat 
I  did  to  him  my  -way  commit, 
He  gave  me  warrant  from  that  hour 
To  trust  his  mercy,  love,  and  power." 

"  Though  He  slay  me,  yet  will  I  trust  in  Him." 
Becoming  confused  again  in  regard  to  the  cardinal 
points,  I  fortunately  came  to  a  cemetery.  In  all 
Christian  lands  the  headstones  at  the  graves  are  to 
the  west.  I  took  my  bearings  and  traveled  on  in  a 
north-easterly  direction.  The  Savior  said,  in  Matt, 
xxiv.  27,  "As  the  lightning  cometh  out  of  the  east, 
and  shineth  even  unto  the  west,  so  shall  also  the 
coming  of  the  Son  of  Man  be."  The  early  Christians 
?upposed  that  this  verse  taught  that  Christ,  at  the  sec- 
ond advent,  would  appear  in  the  east.  Hence  the 
burial  of  the  dead  so  that  in  rising  on  the  resurrec- 


256  TUPELO. 

tion  morn  they  would  face  the  east.  While  steadily 
pursuing  my  weary  way  the  faint  howling  of  a  dis- 
tant pack  of  hounds  coming  from  the  direction  in 
which  I  was  traveling  caused  me  to  halt  in  consterna- 
tion. I  was  ascending  a  lofty  hill,  and  was  Hearing 
the  summit,  when  these  ominous  sounds  were  heard. 
It  was  evident  they  were  not  in  search  of  me,  for  they 
were  coming  south,  but  they  might  accomplish  my 
destruction  as  certainly  as  if  they  had  been  commis- 
sioned to  effect  this  object.  I  hastened  to  the  summit 
of  the  hill.  A  lofty  umbrageous  oak,  a  venerable 
forest  king,  with  lateral  branches  near  the  ground, 
stood  on  the  highest  eminence.  As  the'  increasingly 
distinct  baying  of  the  hounds  indicated  their  rapid 
approach,  I  resolved  to  climb  this  tree.  With  less 
difficulty  than  I  had  anticipated  I  succeeded  in  doing 
so.  Higher  and  higher  I  ascended,  till  I  reached 
the  lofty  coronal  of  leaves  that  decked  this  mighty 
monarch  of  the  woods.  A  grand  panorama  was 
spread  out  before  me.  Two  miles  distant,  in  the  east, 
the  tents  of  a  great  encampment  were  spread  out  in 
full  view.  The  sentries  were  at  their  posts  ;  the  roads 
on  all  sides  were  picketed ;  a  general  review  was  in 
progress,  and  the  bustle  and  excitement  of  camp  life 
was  evident  in  all  its  appointments.  A  company  of 
cavalry  with  blood-hounds  were  just  coming  in  from 
the  north.  They  had  twenty-five  or  thirty  men  in 
charge,  in  citizens'  dress,  evidently  Unionists.  They 
were  driving  these  men  before  them  on  the  double 
quick.  Presently  I  saw  one  fall  prone  upon  the 


TUPELO.  257 

earth.  Three  or  four  cavalry  men  dismounted,  and 
pricking  him  with  their  bayonets,  compelled  him  to 
rise.  He  staggered  on  a  short  distance  and  fell  again. 
A  second  time  they  used  their  bayonets,  when  one 
of  the  prisoners  left  his  companions,  and  running 
to  the  fallen  man,  thrust  aside  the  bayonets.  The 
guards  on  foot  presented  their  carbines.  A  puff  of 
smoke  indicated  that  they  had  discharged  them.  This 
man,  who  seemed  desirous  of  aiding  his  fellow-pris- 
oner, fell  upon  the  prostrate  form  of  the  fallen  man, 
wjiom  they  now  transfixed  with  their  bayonets.  After 
a  few  moments  spent  in  inspecting  their  victims,  they 
remounted  their  horses  and  rejoined  their  company. 
But  what  startled  me  most  was  the  sight  of  a  large 
company  of  hunters,  composed  of  ladies  and  gentle- 
men, who,  spread  over  a  considerable  space,  in  high 
glee  and  with  loud  and  boisterous  halloos  were  pur- 
suing a  bear.  They  were  coming  rapidly  toward  me 
from  a  point  due  north.  That  they  would  pass  near 
me  was  evident.  The  bear  was  but  a  half  mile  in 
advance  of  the  hounds,  and  they  were  gaining  rapidly 
upon  him.  I  perceived  that  the  bear's  strength  was 
waning.  He  seemed  to  be  running  in  a  direct  line 
toward  the  tree  amid  whose  friendly  foliage  I  was 
concealed.  A  planter,  whose  residence  was  upon  a 
hill  to  the  west,  had  heard  the  hounds,  and  I  saw  him 
hastily  make  preparations  to  join  in  the  chase.  Colored 
men. brought  out  several  saddled  horses;  a  number  of 
hounds  were  unleashed  and  unkenneled,  and  several 
men  mounted  the  horses,  and  with  guns  in  hand  has- 
17 


258  TUPELO. 

tenecl  away  to  join  in  the  chase.  I  observed  that 
from  the  direction  they  took  they  would  not  be 
likely  to  intercept  the  bear.  On,  on,  they  rode, 
and  ere  long  joined  the  hunters  in  pursuit.  The 
bear,  with  failing  strength,  reached  a  point  about 
three  hundred  yards  from  my  tree,  and  turning  his 
back  against  a  tree,  stood  at  bay.  The  dogs,  as  fast 
as  they  approached,  were  driven  back,  howling  in 
agony.  A.S  the  bear  was  on  the  opposite  side  of  the 
tree,  I  could  not  see  the  battle.  It  became  fierce,  and 
the  mingled  growling  of  the  bear  and  the  howls  aifd 
yells  of  pain  upon  the  part  of  the  discomfited  dogs 
made  for  a  time  a  perfect  pandemonium.  The  bear 
seemed  on  the  point  of  gaining  a  victory,  but  the 
hunters  rode  up,  called  off  the  not  reluctant  hounds, 
and  a  volley  from  their  carbines  laid  bruin  dead  at 
their  feet.  I  could  hear  their  conversation  distinctly. 
The  planter  invite^!  the  hunters  to  come  over  and 
spend  the  night  with  him.  He  promised  to  send  some 
of  his  slaves  to  flay  the  bear  and  care  for  the  meat. 
The  visitors'  dogs  were  taken  care  of  by  the  planter. 
They  were  leashed  in  his  yard ;  but  his  own  hounds 
were  allowed  to  roam  at  will  all  night.  The  negroes 
came  down  from  the  house,  skinned  and  dressed  the 
bear,  and  it  seemed  to  be  attractive  labor  to  them. 
The  hounds  came  under  the  tree  and  barked  furiously. 
One  of  the  colored  men  said  he  believed  there  "  was 
coons  up  dat  tree,  or  dem  dogs  wouldn't  bark  so  fierce." 
One  of  them  said  he  believed  he'd  "go  and  tell  mas- 
ter dat  dere  was  coons  in  dat  tree."  Off  he  started, 


TUPELO.  259 

and  soon  came  back  to  tell  de  boys  to  ukum  up  an' 
take  keer  of  sum  dogs  dat  de  bear  had  almost  killed." 
About  ten  o'clock  I  came  down  from  the  tree  and 
pursued  my  journey  in  the  direction  of  the  polar  star. 
I  experienced  greater  difficulty  in  descending  the 
tree  than  in  the  ascent.  My  limbs  were  weary ;  the 
fetters  upon  my  ankles  had  become  quite  galliug; 
my  tongue  was  swollen  in  my  mouth  and  cracking 
open  from  thirst.  I  had  not  gotten  far  from  the 
tree  when  a  hound,  which  had  been  lapping  the  blood 
of  the  bear,  sprang  toward  me  with  open  mouth. 
A  well-directed  blow  from  a  club,  which  I  took  the 
precaution  to  secure,  sent  him  howling  away.  All 
the  hounds  within  hearing  howled  in  concert,  and 
a  more  frightful  chorus  I  have  never  heard.  I 
hastened  onward  as  rapidly  as  possible,  and  there 
seemed  to  be  no  pursuit.  I  feared  to  deviate 
from  my  pathway  to  the  right  or  left,  as  I  had 
learned  from  my  lofty  point  of  observation,  from 
my  perch  in  the  pinnacle  of  the  lofty  monarch  of  the 
forest,  that  there  was  a  large  camp  to  the  eastward, 
and  a  much  less  formidable  one  to  the  westward ;  on 
the  one  hand  was  Scylla,  on  the  other  Charybdis. 
Every  hour  death  stared  me  in  the  face.  Foes  were 
lurking  all  around.  There  was  but  a  step  between 
me  and  death.  The  days  of  my  appointed  time  were 
waning  fast.  Hunted  like  a  partridge  upon  the 
mountains,  by  blood-hounds  and  bloody  men,  a  price 
upon  my  head,  escape  seemed  impossible.  I  knew 
that  prayer,  fervent  prayer,  was  continually  ascending 


260  TUPELO. 

to  God  in  my  behalf.  Implicitly  I  believed  in  the 
omnipotence  of  prayer — that  no  good  thing  will  be 
denied  the  prayer  of  faith.  But  I  had  no  promise 
to  plead  for  longer  life.  It  might  be  the  will  of  the 
all- wise  God  to  call  me  from  earth,  to  suffer  me  to 
perish,  as  many  patriotic  men  had  done  since  the  in- 
auguration of  rebellion,  by  rebel  cruelty.  I  was  never 
for  an  hour  out  of  the  hearing  of  howling  hounds  or 
yelping  dogs.  The  hound  ordinarily  used  in  the  pur- 
suit of  fugitive  slaves  is  a  cross  between  a  mastiff  and 
the  bull-dog.  It  is  very  fierce,  and  will  assault  and 
tear  to  pieces  the  fugitive  as  soon  as  caught.  A  hound 
sometimes  used  is  the  blood-hound  of  the  Talbot  or 
southern  breed.  He  has  long,  pendulous,  drooping 
ears  ;  he  is  tall  and  square-headed ;  has  heavy,  droop- 
ing lips  and  jowl.  He  has  a  stern  expression.  He 
is  broad-chested,  deep-tongued,  and  much  slower  than 
the  cross  between  the  mastiff  and  bull-dog.  His  pow- 
ers of  scenting  are  extraordinary.  Let  him  smell 
any  article  of  clothing  that  has  been  worn  by  the 
fugitive,  and  he  will  at  once  recognize  his  track  and 
follow  it,  though  it  should  be  more  than  twenty-four 
hours  old.  Often  one  or  two  of  these  blood-hounds 
are  kept  to  guide  the  pack.  They  are  not  so  fierce 
as  the  other  dogs,  and  any  stout  negro,  by  getting 
his  back  against  a  tree,  so  that  he  may  not  be  sur- 
rounded, could  defend  himself  with  a  club,  and  kill 
his  assailants  as  fast  as  they  approached.  But  the 
ordinary  dog  used  to  hunt  the  fugitive — the  cross  be- 
tween the  mastiff  and  the  bull-dog — is  so  large,  strong, 


TUPELO.  261 

and  fierce  that  the  fugitive  stands  but  little  chance  to 
defend  himself  from  the  combined  attack  of  a  dozen 
of  them.  Were  it  not  for  the  blood-hounds  with 
them,  he  could  much  more  readily  break  the  trail 
and  baffle  pursuit.  The  blood-hound  is  in  color 
tawny,  with  black  muzzles.  The  former  dog  has 
some  scenting  powers,  but  it  is  as  inferior  in  these 
to  the  true  blood-hound  as  it  is  superior  to  him  in 
blood-thirstiness  and  cruel,  indiscriminate  pugnacity. 
It  has  no  utility  except  as  a  man-hunter.  In  hunting 
the  fugitive  slave  men  always  accompany  the  hounds, 
and  are  seldom  far  in  the  rear.  When  the  fugitive 
finds  all  his  skill  to  baffle  pursuit  unavailing,  he 
climbs  a  tree  and  awaits  the  arrival  of  the  horsemen, 
who  call  off  the  hounds,  order  the  slave  to  come  down, 
and  they  then  tie  him  up  and  give  him  one  or  two 
hundred  lashes,  well  laid  on,  on  his  bare  back.  Then 
he  is  ironed  and  conveyed  home,  where  he  receives 
the  remaining  installments  of  the  penalty  due  to  his 
vain  attempt  to  secure  his  inalienable  rights — life,  lib- 
erty, and  the  pursuit  of  happiness.  Life,  one  of  the 
inalienable  rights  which  God  ordains  for  man,  is  not 
servile  life.  Servile  life  is  induced  by  the  avarice 
and  cruelty  of  man. 

I  lay  down  in  the  woods  and  fell  asleep  ;  visions  of 
abundance  both  to  eat  and  drink  haunted  me,  and 
every  unusual  sound  would  startle  me.  A  fly  pecu- 
liar to  the  South,  whose  buzz  sounded  like  the  voice 
of  a  man  in  his  senility,  often  awoke  me  with  the 
fear  that  my  enemies  were  near.  As  soon  as  Ursa 


262  TUPELO. 

Minor  appeared  I  took  up  my  line  of  march.  The 
night  was  very  dark,  and  I  became  somewhat  bewil- 
dered. At  length  I  reached  a  cross-roads,  and  as  I 
was  emerging  from  the  woods  I  saw  two  videttes  a 
few  yards  distant.  As  quickly  and  as  noiselessly  as 
possible,  I  made  a  retrograde  movement.  As  I  was 
retiring  I  heard  one  vidette  say  to  his  comrade, 
"  Who  is  that  ?"  He  replied,  "  It  is  the  corporal  of 
the  guard."  "What  does  he  want?"  said  the  first. 
"O,"  was  the  reply,  "  I  suspect  he's  just  slipping 
around  here  to  see  if  we  are  asleep." 

After  I  had  reached  a  safe  distance  in  the  bushes,  I 
lay  down  and  slept  till  the  moon  arose.  To  the  sur- 
prise of  my  bewildered  brain  it  seemed  to  rise  in  the 
west.  Taking  my  bearings  I  hastened  on,  through 
woods,  corn-fields,  and  swamps.  Coming  to  a  large 
pasture  in  which  a  number  of  cows  were  grazing,  I 
tried  to  obtain  some  milk,  but  the  cows  would  not  let 
me  approach  near  enough  to  effect  my  purpose.  My 
face  was  not  of  the  right  color,  and  my  costume  be- 
longed to  a  sex  that  never  milked  them.  I  traveled 
till  day-break,  when  I  concealed  myself  in  a  cane- 
brake.  I  had  scarcely  fallen  asleep,  when  I  heard 
the  sound  of  the  reveille  in  a  camp  near  by,  and,  lis- 
tening, distinctly  heard  the  soldiers  conversing. 
Arising,  I  hastily  beat  a  retreat,  and  cautiously 
avoiding  the  videttes  I  traveled  several  hours  before 
I  dared  take  any  rest.  At  length  I  lay  down  amid 
the  branches  of  a  fallen  tree  and  slept.  Visions  of 
home  and  friends  flitted  before  me.  Voices  sweet 


TUPELO.  263 

and  kind  greeted  me  on  all  sides.  The  bitter  taunts 
of  cruel  officers  no  longer  assailed  my  ears.  The 
loved  ones  at  home  were  present,  and  the  joys  of  the 
past  were  renewed.  But,  alas  !  the  falling  of  a  limb 
dissipated  all  my  fancied  pleasures.  The  reality  re- 
turned. I  was  still  a  fugitive  escaping  for  life,  and 
in  the  midst  of  a  hostile  country.  I  fancied  the  woful 
disappointment  of  the  rebel  officers  when  they  learned 
that  the  bird  had  flown  and  that  they  could  no  longer 
wreak  their  vengeance  upon  me,  nor  have  the  pleas- 
ure of  witnessing  my  execution.  I  thanked  God 
and  took  courage.  I  was  still  hopeful  and  trusting, 
often  repeating  a  verse  from  one  of  Watts'  beautiful 
hymns : 

Through  many  dangers,  toils,  and  snares 

I  have  already  come; 
'Tis  grace  has  brought  me  safe  thus  far, 

And  grace  will  bring  me  home. 

During  this  night  I  traveled  steadily,  crossing 
corn-fields,  woods,  and  pastures.  I  crossed  but  one 
cotton-field.  I  suspected  every  bush  a  secessionist, 
though  I  felt  much  more  secure  at  night  than  in  clay- 
light.  I  avoided  roads  as  much  as  possible,  traveling 
on  none  except  to  cross  them,  and  this  I  did  walking 
backward,  so  that  if  the  hounds  found  iny  track  the 
cavalry  would  be  deceived  when  the  plain  tracks  in 
the  road  indicated  a  false  direction.  Every  possible 
deception  was  practiced  by  Unionists  to  avoid 
detection. 

The  rising  sun  still   found   me  pressing  onward. 


264  TUPELO. 

Hunger  and  thirst  were  now  consuming  me.  My 
tongue  wras  swollen  and  cracking  open  from  thirst.  I 
thought  of  opening  a  vein  in  my  arm  and  drinking 
the  blood.  When  I  had  almost  despaired  of  getting 
wrater,  a  presentiment — I  may  call  it  an  assurance — 
as  if  an  inspiration  from  heaven,  took  possession  of 
my  whole  soul  that  soon  I  would  be  supplied  with 
water.  The  sky  wras  clear.  No  clouds  indicated 
rain.  I  quietly  walked  along,  as  consciously  sure  of 
water  as  if  I  were  being  refreshed  by  it.  I  came  to  ' 
a  road  and  crossed  it.  A  gin  house  was  visible  a  few 
hundred  yards  distant,  and  there  was  a  grove  near  it. 
I  knew  that  embowered  within  its  sylvan  shade  was 
a  plantation  house.  After  crossing  the  road  I  came 
to  a  gorge  surrounded  by  converging  hills,  from 
which  issued  a  copious  fountain  of  crystal  water. 
Near  it  there  was  no  trace  of  human  foot,  nor  hoof 
of  cattle.  I  seemed  to  be  the  discoverer.  On  be- 
holding it  I  wept  for  joy.  I  knelt  down  and  in 
words  of  thanksgiving  expressed  my  gratitude  to 
Almighty  God  for  this  great  deliverance,  this  spark- 
ling, life-giving  liquid  brewed  amid  the  forest  shades 
by  the  hand  of  Jehovah,  merciful  and  gracious.  I 
then  stooped  down  and  quaffed  the  living  water,  the 
first  pure  water  I  had  tasted  since  my  imprisonment. 
Oh !  that  men  would  praise  the  Lord  for  his  good- 
ness and  feel  truly  grateful  for  his  common  benefits. 
Were  water  to  become  scarce  men  would  realize  its 
worth.  Blessings  brighter  as  they  take  their  flight. 
I  remained  at  this  spring  four  hours,  quaffing  its 


TUPELO.  265 

cool,  refreshing  waters.  I  removed  my  clothing  and 
performed  my  first  ablution  since  I  fell  into  rebel 
hands,  yet  the  ir6ns  prevented  a  thorough  ablution. 
I  named  this  spring  Fons  Vitse.  I  was  rejoiced 
when  I  discovered  this  spring,  but  not  surprised,  for 
I  felt  as  fully  assured  of  finding  water  as  if  an  angel 
had  spoken  to  me  from  heaven  indicating  its  location. 
It  came  into  my  mind  with  the  force  of  a  revelation. 
My  regret  was  sincere  when  I  was  compelled  to  leave 
this  spring  and  continue  my  wearisome  journey. 

Three  o'clock  P.M.  arrived.  I  felt  bewildered.  I 
knew  not  where  I  was.  I  might  be  near  friends,  I 
might  be  near  blood-thirsty  foes.  I  could  scarcely 
walk.  My  iron  bands  had  become  very  irksome. 
I  felt  that  I  was  becoming  childish.  I  could  tell  all 
my  bones.  I  tried  to  pray,  but  could  only  utter, 
"God,  be  merciful  to  me  a  sinner."  The  sky  became 
overcast  with  clouds.  I  could  not  distinguish  the 
cardinal  points.  I  therefore  concealed  myself  and  slept. 
It  was  night  when  I  awoke,  and  the  clouds  still  covered 
the  face  of  the  sky  threateningly,  concealing  my 
guides,  the  stars  of  heaven,  and  rendering  it  impos- 
sible for  me  to  proceed.  Thus  when  I  wished  most 
to  advance,  my  progress  was  arrested  and  my  distress- 
ing suspense  prolonged.  During  the  night  I  was 
asleep  and  awake  alternately,  but  could  not  at  any 
time  discern  either  moon  or  stars.  I  slept  behind  a 
fallen  tree  by  a  roadside.  A  horseman  passed  by 
at  midnight.  His  dog,  a  large,  ferocious  animal, 
came  running  along  by  the  side  of  the  tree  by  which 


266  TUPELO. 

I  was  lying.  When  he  reached  me  I  rose  suddenly, 
and  brandishing  a  club  menacingly,  the  alarmed  and 
howling  dog  incontinently  and  ingloriously  fled, 
leaving  me  master  of  the  field.  The  horseman 
stopped  and  listened.  I.  lay  silent  as  the  grave. 
After  a  time,  which  my  suspense  and  alarm 
doubtless  magnified,  he  rode  onward,  when  I 
changed  my  hiding  place  for  safer  quarters  farther 
in  the  dark  forest.  The  next  morning  the  sun  was 
obscured  until  nine  o'clock.  I  guess  at  the  time,  as 
I  had  not  my  watch.  I  was  then  sick.  There  was 
a  ringing  in  my  ears,  and  I  was  afflicted  by  vertigo,  a 
dimness  of  vision,  and  faintness,  which  rendered  me 
absolutely  unfit  for  travel.  It  required  an  hour  to 
walk  a  quarter  of  a  mile.  Before  me  was  a  hill,  the 
top  of  which  I  reached  after  two  hours  laborious  as- 
cent. I  despaired  of  getting  much  farther.  Feeling 
confident  that  I  must  be  near  the  point  where  inter- 
sect the  counties  of  Tippah,  Pontotoc,  Itawainba, 
and  Tishomingo,  and  knowing  that  there  were  many 
Unionists  in  that  district,  I  resolved  to  call  at  the  first 
house  I  came  to  whose  appearance  indicated  that  its 
inmates  were  not  slave-holders.  Slave-holders  were 
almost  invariably  secessionists.  If  I  remained  in 
the  woods  I  must  perish,  as  a  great  storm  was  im- 
pending. If  I  met  with  a  Unionist  family  I  would 
be  saved,  if  with  a  rebel  family  I  could  but  perish, 
and  I  felt  that  I  could  not  survive  the  night  and  ap- 
proaching storm. 

Soon  I  came  to  a  cabin  by  the  side  of  a  road,  two 


TUPELO.  267 

miles  north  of  New  Albany,  Tippah  county.  The 
storm  had  reached  me.  The  wind  was  blowing  a 
gale,  and  the  rain 'began  to  fall  in  torrents — just  such 
a  storm  as  ^sits  the  gulf  states  after  a  protracted 
drought.  I  went  up  to  the  door  of  the  cabin  and 
rapped.  "  Come,"  was  the  laconic  response.  I  pulled 
the  latch-string.  The  door  blew  open  and  I  stag- 
gered in.  When  the  lady  present  looked  upon  me 
she  threw  up  her  hands  in  terror,  and  said : 

"Are  you  from  Tupelo?" 

"lam." 

"What  is  your  name?" 

"John  Hill." 

I  suppressed  my  surname.  I  was  not  much  sur- 
prised at  the  lady's  alarm.  My  hair,  long  and  un- 
kempt, covered  with  mud,  my  clothes  nearly  torn 
from  my  body  by  the  thorns  and  briars  in  the 
ditches  which  bisected  the  fields  that  I  was  compelled 
necessarily  to  cross,  my  face  pallid,  the  iron  bands 
upon  my  limbs,  made  me  present  a  frightful  appa- 
rition to  her  startled  gaze.  And  coming  as  the 
harbinger  of  a  fierce  storm,  added  doubtless  to  her 
terror.  She,  scrutinizing  me  closely,  was  about  to 
proceed  writh  her  catechising.  I  forestalled  her  by 
turning  to  her  husband,  a  man  of  Herculean  pro- 
portions, sitting  near  by,  saying: 

"Sir,  the  Yankees  are  overrunning  all  our  country. 
Why  are  you  not  in  the  army  trying  to  drive  them 
away  ?  " 

The  lady  replied  tartly,  "He's  not  there,  and   he's 


268  TUPELO. 

not  goin'  there,  either."  She  then  animadverted 
upon  Jeff  Davis,  the  Southern  Confederacy,  and  the 
conscript  law,  in  terms  that  pleased  me  much.  I 
never  before  delighted  so  much  in  hearing  Jeff  Davis 
abused.  I  felt  safe,  and  pointing  to  the  iron  bands, 
told  this  couple — Mr.  and  Mrs.  Chism — of  my  es- 
cape from  the  prison  at  Tupelo  and  the  death  pre- 
ordained by  General  Bragg. 

Their  house  had  been  searched  for  Malone  and  me, 
and  they  were  cognizant  of  our  escape.  Both  hus- 
band and  wife  promised  to  render  all  possible  aid. 
Mrs.  Chism  immediately  began  to  prepare  supper. 
I  told  her  that  I  could  not  await  the  slow  process  of 
cooking,  that  I  was  too  near  starvation  for  that.  She 
turned  down  the  table-cloth  which  covered  the  frag- 
ments remaining  from  dinner,  and  disclosed  some  corn 
bread  and  Irish  potatoes.  I  thought  this  was  the  sweet- 
est morsel  I  had  ever  tasted.  After  eating  a  little 
I  became  quite  sick,  and  was  compelled  to  desist.  It 
was  so  long  since  I  had  partaken  of  any  substantial 
food  that  my  stomach  rebelled  against  it.  Soon  Mrs. 
Chism  prepared  supper,  consisting  of  broiled  chicken 
and  other  delicacies.  The  fowl  was  small,  and  I  ate 
nearly  the  whole  of  it,  much  to  the  chagrin  of  a  little 
daughter  of  mine  hostess,  whom  I  heard  complaining 
to  her  ma  in  an  adjoining  room,  saying,  "Ma,  all  I 
could  get  of  that  chicken  was  a  tiny  piece  of  a 
wing,  and  wasent  that  gentleman  a  hoss  to  eat,"  with 
other  remarks  not  very  complimentary  to  my  vora- 
cious appetite.  I  ate  too  heartily  after  so  long  a 


TUPELO.  269 

fast,  and  it  caused  nausea  and  vomiting.  My  stom- 
ach was  too  weak  to  bear  it.  After  supper  mine  host 
endeavored  to  remove  the  heavy  iron  bands  with 
which  my  ankles  were  encircled.  Fortunately  he 
was  a  blacksmith  by  vocation,  and  with  the  use  of 
the  implements  of  his  trade  he  succeeded.  I  keep 
these  as  sacred  relics.  The  good  lady  furnished  me 
with  water  and  a  suit  of  her  husband's  clothes. 
After  performing  a  thorough  ablution  I  donned  the 
suit,  and  was  completely  metamorphosed  and  thor- 
oughly disguised,  as  my  new  suit  was  made  for  a 
man  of  vastly  larger  physical  proportions.  I  spent 
the  night  with  my  new  friends,  during  which  a 
heavy  storm  passed  over,  accompanied  by  vivid 
lightning  and  loud,  reverberating  thunder.  Had  I 
been  out  in  the  drenching  rain  in  my  wretched  and 
enfeebled  condition  I  must  certainly  have  perished. 

A  rebel  camp  was  within  a  mile  and  a  half,  and 
horsemen  clad  in  gray  passed  constantly.  In  the 
morning  my  host  informed  me  of  a  Unionist  who 
knew  the  country  in  the  direction  of  Rienzi,  the  point 
which  I  now  determined  to  reach.  This  gentleman 
was  a  near  neighbor,  Mr.  San  ford  by  name.  Mr. 
Chism  accompanied  me  to  a  thicket  near  his  house, 
in  which  I  concealed  myself.  Before  leaving  I 
handed  Mrs.  Chism  a  double  eagle.  She  refused  to 
take  it.  Said  I,  "  You  have  saved  my  life."  "  I 
charge  you  nothing  for  that,"  was  her  laconic  reply. 
I  threw  the  money  down  upon  the  table  and  left  with 
her  husband.  As  we  were  departing,  she  said,  "  Well, 


270  TUPELO. 

if  you  get  to  the  Federal  lines  you  won't  begrudge  it, 
and  if  you  don't  you  won't  need  it." 

Mr.  Chism  went  to  the  shop  of  Mr.  Sanford,  who 
was  a  hatter  by  trade.  There  were  two  rebel  soldiers 
talking  with  him,  so  Mr.  C.  had  to  wait  till  they 
went  away  of  their  own  accord.  As  he  staid  more 
than  two  hours  I  feared  treachery — that  he  might 
have  gone  to  the  rebel  camp  and  given  information. 
I  therefore  left  my  place  of  concealment  and  ascended 
an  adjacent  hill  and  climbed  a  eucalyptus  tree.  When 
I  saw  Mr.  Chism  coming,  accompanied  by  but  one 
man,  I  descended.  The  reason  for  delay  was  given. 
Mr.  San  ford  said,  "  I  am  not  familiar  with  the  route 
to  Rienzi,  but  will  accompany  you  to  my  brother-in- 
law's,  Mr.  John  Downihg's,  who  I  know  is  well  ac- 
quainted with  the  road.  He  can  take  you  through 
the  woods  so  as  to  avoid  the  Confederate  cavalry. 
As  I  undertake  this  at  the  risk  of  life,  we  must  use 
all  possible  precaution.  You  will  have  to  spend  the 
day  concealed  in  my  barn.  I  would  gladly  entertain 
you  at  my  house,  but  I  have  a  large  famify  and  many 
of  them  are  girls,  and  you  know  that  girls  will  talk, 
and  might  say  something  that  would  lead  to  suspi- 
cion and  search,  for  these  rebels  are  lynx-eyed  and  are 
on  the  alert.  There  are  many  notices  affixed  to  trees 
and  shops  and  posts  in  the  most  public  places  describ- 
ing you  and  offering  a  large  reward  for  your  capture. 
I  will  carry  you  provisions  during  the  day,  and  at 
midnight  we  will  start  to  Mr.  Downing's.  We  will  be 
compelled  to  make  a  large  circuit  to  avoid  the  rebel 


TUPELO.  271 

camp,  and  to  go  around  a  spur  of  the  mountain.  We 
will  have  to  travel  forty-five  miles  of  a  circuit,  while 
it  is  only  nine  miles  as  the  raven  flies." 

At  one  time  Mr.  Sanford's  twin  daughters  came 
into  the  barn  in  search  of  eggs.  They  approached 
near  my  place  of  concealment,  but  did  not  discover 
me.  When  Mr.  S.  came  with  delicacies  his  wife  had 
prepared,  I  informed  him  of  it.  He  said,  "  I  will 
send  all  my  girls  to  their  uncle's  on  a  visit,  so  that 
there  may  be  no  danger  of  their  suspicions  being 
aroused.  We  are  in  daily,  imminent  peril.  I  do 
hope  that  the  Federal  troops  will  make  haste  to  oc- 
cupy the  country  and  save  us  from  our  bitter  and 
malignant  foes,  who  will  soon  attempt  to  force  all 
Unionists  into  their  army ;  then  it  will  be  necessary 
to  leave  home  and  escape  to  the  Union  lines."  He 
brought  his  wife  up  to  see  me,  and  we  sat  sadly  dis- 
cussing the  perils  and  troubles  surrounding  the  loyal 
people  of  the  South.  At  length  night  came,  and  I 
slept.  At  midnight  Mr.  S.  awoke  me.  He  told  me 
to  mount  the  horse  he  held  by  the  bridle.  Said  he, 
"  That  is  a  blooded  animal  of  high  mettle  and  good 
bottom,  one  of  the  swiftest 'horses  in  Tippah  Co.  He 
runs  like  a  streak  of  lightning."  I  provided  a  good 
whip,  resolving  in  case  of  danger  to  put  my  horse  to 
his  utmost  speed.  We  traveled  rapidly  till  nine 
o'clock  in  the  morning,  having  to  make  a  detour  on 
account  of  discovering  an  unexpected  camp.  We 
must  have  traveled  over  fifty  miles.  When  we 
reached  Mr.  Downing's  we  partook  of  an  excellent 


272  TUPELO. 

breakfast.  The  guerrillas  had  a  few  nights  before 
murdered  a  Unionist — a  Mr.  Newsom.  His  senti- 
ments had  become  known  to  the  rebels.  They 
watched  his  house  till  they  knew  of  his  presence  at 
home.  He  had  been  in  concealment,  but  run  the  risk 
of  going  home  to  see  a  sick  daughter.  They  offered 
him  the  oath  of  allegiance  to  the  Confederate  states. 
He  refused  to  take  it.  In  their  anger  they  resolved 
upon  his  immediate  death.  Some  proposed  hanging, 
some  shooting,  but  the  majority  prevailed,  and  these 
fiends  in  human  form,  these  devils  incarnate,  then 
deliberately  heated  water,  and  in  the  presence  of  his 
weeping,  pleading  wife  and  helpless  children  they 
scalded  to  death  their  chained  and  defenceless  victim. 
They  then  suspended  the  corpse  from  a  tree,  with  a 
label  attached  threatening  a  similar  death  to  any  who 
should  remove  the  corpse  or  bury  it.  Thus  perished 
a  patriot  of  whom  the  state  was  not  worthy.  These, 
my  friends,  cut  down  the  corpse  by  night  and  buried 
it  in  the  forest.  May  God  reward  them.  Oh,  the 
inhumanity  of  man  to  his  fellow-man.  The  mother- 
in-law  of  Mr.  Newsom  was  a  daughter  of  Gen.  Na- 
thaniel Green  of  revolutionary  fame.  She  was  very 
aged.  I  asked  her,  for  we  stopped  at  her  house,  if 
she  remembered  much  about  the  war  of  the  revolu- 
tion. She  kept  repeating,  "  Oh,  it  was  dreadful  times. 
The  British  before,  the  Indians  behind,  and  the  tories 
in  the  middle." 

Ere  I  left  Mr.  Downing's  there  were  more  than 
fifty  Unionists  called  to  see  me.     They  held  a  coun- 


TUPELO.  273 

cil,  and  Mr.  Downing  was  deputed  to  convey  me  to 
the  Federal  lines.  We  immediately  set  out  upon  our 
perilous  journey. 

Mr.  John  Downing,  my  guide,  thought  it  best  to 
travel  by  day,  as  the  recent  rains  had  raised  the 
waters  of  the  Hatchie  and  Tallahatchie  rivers,  both 
of  which  we  must  cross.  Fording  would  be  quite 
dangerous  at  night.  We  must  follow  trails,  and  thus 
avoid,  if  possible,  the  rebel  cavalry  and  camps. 
There  was  one  point  of  special  danger  at  a  place 
where  stood  a  mill,  at  the  base  of  converging  lofty 
hills.  We  were  traveling  in  a  semi-mountainous 
country.  We  at  length  reached  the  summit  of  a  very 
high  hill.  Far  below  us,  winding  around  the  base 
of  this  hill,  which  might  not  inappropriately  be 
termed  a  mountain,  ran  the  clear  waters  of  a  consid- 
erable creek.  This  was  the  dangerous  point.  Here 
was  a  large  grist  mill.  We  hitched  our  horses  in  a 
copse  and  reconnoitered.  Believing  the  coast  to  be 
clear,  we  warily  descended  the  steep  declivities,  till 
at  length  we  reached  the  mill.  The  miller  appeared 
at  the  door  and  poured  forth  a  torrent  of  interroga- 
tories, to  all  of  which  my  guide  answered  warily  and 
discreetly,  and  I  thought  measurably  allayed  his  sus- 
picions. Presently  we  espied  a  covered  wagon 
drawn  by  Sumpter  mules  approaching.  The  saddle 
marks  were  visible.  It  halted  at  the  mill,  and  eleven 
Confederate  soldiers  emerged  from  underneath  the 
low,  dingy  covering.  We  were  .about  to  ride  on,  when 
they  halted  us,  and  the  following  dialogue  ensued 
18 


274  TUPELO. 

between  my  guide  and  the  soldiers,  who  had  been 
out  on  sick  furlough  ever  since  the  battle  of  Shiloh, 
and  were  now  returning  to  camp  at  Ripley,  Miss. : 

"Hello!  strangers,  whar  are  ye  from?" 

"  From  New  Albany,  Tippah  county." 

"Whar  ye  gwrine?" 

"  On  the  hunt  of  stray  oxen.  Hev  ye  seen  nothin' 
of  a  black  ox  and  a  pided  (pied)  ox  no  whar  in  yer 
travels?" 

"No,  we  hain't." 

"  Is  ther  any  danger  of  meeting  any  Yanks  on  that 
road  over  yender  ?  " 

"  No,  ther  ain't.  But  ther's  a  road  turns  oifen  it 
'bout  three  mile  from  here,  to  ther  right,  that  is  a 
mighty  dangerous  road.  The  Yankee  cavalry's  on 
it  most  every  day.  Say,  who's  that  feller  with  ye? 
He  jes'  looks  like  death  on  a  pale  hoss." 

"  He's  my  brother-in-law  from  Alabam.  He's  hed 
the  aiger  for  more'n  a  year,  an'  ther  ain't  no  quinine 
in  the  country  an'  he  can't  git  it  stopt.  Some  of  'em 
thinks  he's  purty  well  gone  with  quick  consumption." 

"Golly,  he  looks  like  it.  But  what's  that  air 
uotis  up  thar  on  the  mill?" 

The  miller  replies,  "  It's  a  notis  of  a  reward  fer  a 
prisoner  that  broke  jail  at  Tupelo.  Jes'  read  it.  I 
can't," 

"Nun  of  us  kin  read.  Jim  Colquitt  stopped  back 
a  piece  thar  to  see  his  sister,  Missis  Curlee.  He'll  be 
along  dreckly.  We  is  to  wait  for  him  hyar.  He 
kin  read,  an'  rite,  too." 


TUPELO.  275 

The  miller  replied,  "  The  officer  that  axed  me  to 
stick  this  notis  up  said  a  prisoner  that  hed  escaped 
before  wuz  follered  with  blood-hounds  an'  tuck  back 
an'  put  in  irons,  but  he'd  broke  jail  agin  the  day  be- 
fore he  wuz  to  be  hung.  That  old  Bragg  wuz  all- 
fired  mad  about  it,  and  offers  a  big  reward  to  who- 
soinever  brings  him  back  dead  or  alive.  His  name  is 
Mohave  or  suthiu  like  that.  He  is  a  parson  an'  lives 
in  Rienzi,  an'  it's  thought  he's  makin'  fer  that  point." 

We  were  about  to  start,  when  one  of  the  soldiers 
said,  "Stranger,  what  mout  your  name  be?" 

"  My  name  is  Jim  Chalmette,  and  my  brother-in- 
law's  name  is  Oliver  Folsoni  Brownlee,  from  Flor- 
ence, Alabam,"  said  my  guide. 

The  soldier  then  said,  "  Can't  one  of  you  fellers 
read  that  air  notis?" 

We  rode  up  in  front  of  it  and  Mr.  Downing  read 
it  thus:  "Ten  thousand  dollars  reward  will  be  paid 
for  the  return,  dead  or  alive,  of  a  prisoner  who  es- 
caped from  the  military  prison  at  Tupelo,  Miss.  His 
name  is  John  Mohave.  He  is  over  six  feet  high,  of 
dark  complexion,  heavy  beard,  black  dyes,  high 
cheek  bones,  and  was  dressed  in  broadcloth,  somewhat 
the  worse  for  prison  wear.  Any  soldier  who  cap- 
tures him  will,  in  addition  to  the  cash  reward,  leceive 
suitable  promotion. 

"BRAXTON  BRAGG, 
"Major  General  Commanding" 

I  thought  Downing  had  read  it  correctly,  till  I 
rode  up  and  read  it.  I  felt  some  tremor  when  I  rec- 


276  TUPELO. 

ognized  an  exact  description  of  myself.  Even  the 
missing  molar  had  been  noticed. 

One  of  the  soldiers  said,  "  Well,  stranger,  that  set- 
tles it.  I  thought  afore  yer  read  that  notis  as  how 
yer  brother-in-law  mought  a  ben  the  feller  what 
broke  jail,  but  he  don't  fill  the  bill,  by  odds.  But 
he's  got  on  awful  fine  boots  an'  hat.  They  don't  suit 
them  cloze,  an'  his  cloze  don't  nigh  fit  him.  They 
wuz  made  fer  a  long  sight  bigger  man." 

"  Them's  a  suit  of  my  cloze  he  put  on  this  mornin' 
so  my  wife  could  wash  an'  mend  hizzen." 

"AVell,  I  s'pose  yer  all  right,  but  ther's  a  camp 
about  three  mile  from  hyar.  You  an'  yer  brother- 
in-law  hed  better  let  them  oxen  go  fer  awhile  an' 
come  with  us  to  camp.  Chalmers  or  Baxter  will  be 
thar,  or  mebbe  old  Forrest  hisself.  He'll  be  mighty 
glad  to  see  ye,  I  reckon.  Then  ye  kin  explain  some 
things  about  ye  that  we  don't  zackly  understand." 

At  this  time  we  were  surrounded  by  them,  and 
Downing  thought  it  best  to  express  his  acquiescence. 
One  of  the  soldiers  presently  went  to  the  wagon,  and 
producing  a  jug,  asked  us  to  drink  with  him.  We 
rode  to  the'  further  side  of  the  wagon.  The  soldier 
then  said,  "  Here's  to  Jeff  Davis  and  the  Southern 
Confederacy,  wishin'  'em  success  and  that  we  may 
kill  a  hundred  Yankees  apiece  an'  all  git  home  safe." 

At  this  moment  Downing  said, "  We  must  go  on," 
and  putting  spurs  to  our  horses  we  soon  put  consid- 
erable space  between  us  and  these  soldiers.  They 
called  after  us  to  halt.  Downing  said,  "  We  haven't 


TUPELO.  277 

time,  howsomevet  we're  all  right."  We  rode  on 
rapidly,  thankful  that  we  had  escaped  imminent 
peril.  We  soon  came  to  a  turn  in  the  road.  Just  as 
we  made  the  turn,  we  saw  two  men,  with  guns  in 
their  hands,  on  a  knoll  covered  with  a  heavy  growth 
of  walnut  trees.  We  were  not  sure  whether  they 
were  hunters  or  guerrillas.  They  called  to  us  to  halt. 
We  did  so  and  asked  them  what  they  wanted.  They 
replied  that  they  would  come  to  the  road  and  tell  us, 
and  said,  "  Wait  till  we  come  to  you."  Downing 
said,  in  a  low  tone,  "  We  are  in  danger,  as  we  are  in 
range,  and  they  can  bring  us  down  with  their  guns. 
We  will  wait  till  they  get  to  the  bottom  of  the  hill, 
among  the  chaparral  which  Avill  intercept  the  shot  if 
they  fire."  He  then  called  to  them  to  come  on. 
They  started  toward  us,  and  when  they  had  reached 
the  dense  chaparral,  we  put  spurs  to  our  horses  and 
galloped  rapidly  away.  When  we  started,  the  men 
ran  back  up  the  knoll  and  taking  aim  fired  at  us. 
The  shot  from  one  of  the  guns  whistled  harmlessly 
through  the  branches  of  a  mulberry  tree  under  which 
we  were  passing.  The  shot  from  the  other  gun  was 
more  effective.  One  shot  struck  my  horse  in  the 
flank.  He  reared  and  plunged  wildly.  I  managed, 
however,  to  keep  my  seat.  A  shot  struck  Downing's 
saddle,  and  glancing  inflicted  a  wound  in  the  thigh. 
The  men  then  hastened  through  the  chaparral,  and 
upon  reaching  the  road,  both  fired  the  two  undis- 
charged barrels  of  their  guns.  We  were  now  so  far 
away,  and  had  turned  a  slight  bend  in  the  road,  that 


278  TUPELO. 

the  shot  did  us  no  injury.  We,  however,  heard  their 
patter  and  whistle  as  they  passed  through  the 
branches  of  the  trees  in  close  proximity  to  us. 
Neither  Downing  nor  I  felt  the  least  fear.  The  ex- 
citement of  the  moment  and  the  comical  and  excited 
appearance  of  our  would-be  captors,  both  of  whom 
had  lost  their  hats  in  the  bushes,  excited  our  mirth. 
Downing  said  he  believed  the  men  were  Porter 
Rucker  and  Albert  Braddock,  guerrillas,  or  partisan 
rangers,  as  Jeff  Davis  styled  those  who  were  engaged 
in  hunting  down  Unionists,  and  capturing  and  re- 
turning to  camp  deserters. 

u Perhaps,"  said  I  to  Downing,  "it  will  delight 
us  hereafter  to  recall  even  the  present  things  to  mind." 
"  Yes,  if  we  outlive  this  terrible  war  and  survive  its 
horrors.  But  there  is  not  much  pleasure  in  them 
now." 

In  a  short  time  we  came  to  the  road  designated  as 
dangerous  by  our  would-be  captors  at  the  mill.  As 
we  reached  it  we  saw  in  the  distance  ahead  of  us, 
on  the  road  we  were  now  traveling,  a  few  straggling 
cavalrymen.  They  saw  us  and  halted,  apparently  to 
await  our  overtaking  them.  We  turned  off  on  the 
road  which  the  Yankee  cavalry  were  said  to  fre- 
quent ere  we  reached  them.  A  boy  whom  we  over- 
took informed  us  that  Baxter's  rebel  cavalry  had 
just  passed.  They  would  have  swift  steeds  to  follow 
with  any  prospect  of  overtaking  us.  A  former  class- 
mate in  Richmond  College,  Ohio,  Matthew  Thomp- 
son by  name,  was  an  officer  under  Baxter,  and 


GENERAL  ULYSSES  S.    GRANT. 


TUPELO.  279 

would  have  recognized  me  had  we  been  a  few  minutes 
earlier  at  that  point,  and  been  captured  by  this 
doughty  rebel.  Baxter's  scouts  infested  this  section 
for  a  long  time,  murdering  Unionists  and  hunting 
with  blood-hounds  the  poor  conscripts  who,  having 
been  forced  into  the  Confederate  service,  endeavored 
to  escape  to  the  Federal  lines.  Baxter  concocted  a 
plot  to  capture  Gen.  U.  S.  Grant,  but  failed  to  ac- 
complish his  nefarious  purpose. 

Having  traveled  several  hours  after  escaping  Bax- 
ter's cavalry,  we  rode  into  the  woods,  dismounted, 
and  sat  down  to  rest  and  take  an  inventory  of  our 
injuries.  Downing's  boot  had  some  blood  in  it  and 
his  thigh  was  beginning  to  be  quite  painful.  The 
left  leg  of  his  pantaloons  was  completely  saturated. 
I  examined  his  wound,  and  used  Downing's  knife  as 
a  probe,  but  I  could  not  find  the  shot.  I  cut  off  a 
piece  of  cloth  from  one  of  my  under  garments  and  band- 
aged the  wound  to  stop  the  hemorrhage.  My  horse 
had  bled  considerably  from  the  wound  in  his  flank, 
but  did  not  show  any  perceptible  sign  of  weakness,  or 
flagging  gait.  We  remounted  and  rode  on  to 
Antioch  or  Hinkle.  I  think  we  passed  through  both 
these  hamlets.  Here  Downing  left  me  to  return 
home.  He  must  travel  by  a  different  route  in  re- 
turning. He  would  lodge  that  night  at  the  house  of 
a  stalwart  Unionist,  Elihu  Noble,  who  had  recently 
moved  from  Ingomar,  Issaquena  county,  to  Molino 
Del  Rey.  I  gave  him  a  double  eagle,  and  we  parted 
with  fervent  adieus  and  good  wishes  for  each  other's 


280  TUPELO. 

welfare.     I  again  assumed  the  role  of  a  pedestrian, 
and  ere  long  reached  Rienzi. 

When  I  gazed  on  the  star  spangled  banner,  em- 
blem of  my  country's  glory  and  power,  beneath 
whose  ample  folds  there  was  safety  and  protection  for 
the  poor,  pursued,  panting,  perishing  Unionist,  and 
saw  around  me  the  loyal  hosts  of  brave  men,  eager 
to  subvert  rebellion  and  afford  protection  to  the 
wronged  and  persecuted  southern  patriot,  I  shed  tears 
of  joy.  I  felt  that  I  was  safe,  my  perils  o'er,  and 
from  the  depths  of  a  grateful  heart  I  returned  thanks 
to  Almighty  God,  who  had  given  me  my  life  in  answer 
to  importunate  prayer,  preserving  me  amid  peculiar 
dangers,  seen  and  unseen,  till  now  I  had  reached  the 
desired  haven  and  was  safe  amid  hosts  of  friends. 
When  I  reached  the  picket  line,  a  horse  was  fur- 
nished me,  and  I  was  taken  to  the  head-quarters  of 
Col.  Mizener.  My  brother,  David  IT.  Aughey,  and 
brother-in-law,  Prof.  Robert  K.  Knight,  residents  of 
Rienzi,  heard  of  my  arrival  and  came  at  once  to  see 
and  convey  me  to  their  homes.  Col.  M.  had  sent  an 
orderly  to  report  my  presence.  Col.  Mizener  re- 
quested me  to  report  all  that  would  be  of  service  to 
Gen.  Rosecrans,  who  was  ten  miles  south  at  Boone- 
ville,  which  I  did,  he  copying  my  report  as  I  gave 
it.  I  reported  the  particulars  of  niy  escape,  the 
probable  number  of  Confederate  troops  in  and  around 
Tupelo,  the  topography  of  the  country,  the  probable 
intentions  of  the  rebels,  the  putative  number  of 
troops  sent  to  Richmond  to  re-inforce  Gen.  Lee,  the 


TUPELO.  281 

harsh,  cruel,  and  vindictive  treatment  of  the  southern 
Unionists  incarcerated  in  the  bastile  in  Tupelo,  etc. 
The  Colonel  requested  me  to  go  with  him  to  visit 
Gen.  Rosecrans  at  his  head-quarters  in  Booneville  the 
next  morning,  but  at  the  hour  specified  reaction  had 
taken  place,  and  I  was  very  sick.  My  report  was 
carried  up  to  Gen.  Rosecrans  by  Col.  Mizener,  who 
immediately  forwarded  it  to  Gen.  Grant  at  Memphis, 
who  noted  it  and  placed  it  on  file.  It  has  been  pub- 
lished in  official  Records  of  the  AVar  of  the  Rebellion, 
Union  and  Confederate,  Vol.  17,  page  107. 

Gen.  AY.  S.  Rosecrans,  upon  hearing  that  I  was 
sick,  sent  Surgeon  Berridge  Lucas,  of  an  Illinois 
brigade,  raised  in  Peoria,  111.,  and  Dr.  Hawley,  of 
the  36th  111.  Infantry,  to  attend  me  during  my  illness. 
Under  their  skillful  and  efficient  treatment  I  measur- 
ably regained  health,  though  for  some  time  I  was 
apparently  upon  the  border  land,  and  it  was  feared 
that  I  would  be  a  mental  and  physical  wreck.  My 
sufferings  at  the  hands  of  the  rebels  produced  a  lesion 
from  which  I  will  never  fully  recover.  Two  of  my 
soldier  comrades  have  recently  succumbed  to  a  similar 
malady,  and  I  cannot  hope  to  resist  it  much  longer. 
The  citadel  of  life  must  eventually  yield  to  its  force, 
and  death  supervene.  Skillful  medical  treatment  and 
extremely  temperate  habits  alone  have  thus  far  held 
it  in  abeyance.  Hardships  incurred  afterward  in  the 
service,  as  chaplain,  aggravated  the  malady. 

But  why  should  I  repine  since  my  country's  in- 
tegrity and  permanence  has  been  secured,  never  more 


282  TUPELO. 

to  be  imperiled  by  traitors  to  their  government  and 
their  God?  The  salutary  lesson  they  have  learned 
will  prevent  a  repetition  of  their  folly. 

When  I  recovered  sufficiently  to  leave  my  room 
I  was  honored  with  a  serenade  by  a  brigade  brass 
band,  through  the  politeness  of  Col.  Bryner  and 
Lieut.  Col.  Thrush,  of  the  47th  111.  regiment.  At 
the  close  they  called  for  a  speech,  to  which  call  I  thus 
responded : 

GENTLEMEN-^I  desire  to  express  my  sincere  thanks 
for  the  honor  conferred.  In  the  language  of  the  last 
tune  played  by  your  band,  I  truly  feel  at  home  again, 
and  it  fills  my  soul  with  joy  to  meet  my  friends  once 
more.  What  a  vast  difference  between  Tupelo  and 
Rienzi.  There  I  was  regarded  as  a  base  iugrate,  as 
a  despicable  traitor,  an  enemy  to  the  country,  chained 
as  a  felon,  doomed  to  die,  and  before  the  execution  of 
the  sentence  subjected  to  every  species  of  insult  and 
contumely.  Here  I  meet  with  the  kindest  expres- 
sions of  sympathy  from  officers  of  all  ranks,  from  the 
subaltern  to  the  general,  and  there  is  not  a  private 
soldier  who  has  heard  my  tale  of  woe  that  does  not 
manifest  a  kindly  sympathy.  I  hope  you  will  speed- 
ily pass  south  of  Tupelo,  but  in  your  victorious 
march  to  the  gulf  I  wish  you  to  fare  better  than  I 
did  in  my  journey  from  Tupelo  to  Rienzi.  Travel- 
ing day  after  day  without  food  or  water  would  cause 
you  to  present  the  emaciated  appearance  that  I  do. 
On  your  route,  call  upon  the  secession  sympathizers 
and  compel  them  to  furnish  you  with  all  the  viands 


TUPELO.  283 

that  you  need.  My  good  horse,  Bucephalus,  I  left 
at  Tupelo.  He  is  an  animal  of  pure  blood  and  high 
mettle.  The  rebel  general  Hardee,  in  the  true  spirit 
of  secession,  appropriated — that  is,  stole  him.  He 
often  insolently  rode  him  by  our  prison,  surrounded 
by  his  staff.  lie  did  not  return  him  to  me  when  I 
left.  However,  I  did  not  call  to  demand  him  upon 
leaving.  Being  in  haste  I  did  not  choose  to  spare 
the  time,  as  I  am  a  great  economist  of  time,  and  leav- 
ing in  the  night  I  did  not  wish  to  disturb  the  slum- 
bers of  the  Tupelonians.  He  is  a  bright  bay.  If 
you  find  him  you  may  have  him  gratis.  I  would 
much  prefer  that  he  serve  tJie  Federal  army.  I 
bought  him  of  Gen.  Lionel  Colquitt,  at  West  Point, 
Miss.,  for  three  hundred  and  fifty  dollars. 

If  you  take  Gen.  Jordan  prisoner,  send  me  word, 
and  I  will  furnish  you  with  the  irons  with  which  he 
bound  me,  by  which  you  may  secure  him  till  he 
meets  the  just  penalty  of  his  crimes,  even  death, 
which  he  richly  deserves  for  the  murder  of  many 
Unionists. 

When  I  became  convalescent  I  rode  to  Jacinto,  the 
Federal  outpost  nearest  to  my  family.  I  called  upon 
Gen.  Jefferson  C.  Davis,  who  at  once  ordered  eight 
regiments  of  cavalry,  accompanied  by  a  section  of 
artillery,  to  bring  them  into  Jacinto.  I  soon  had 
the  pleasure  of  beholding  my  wife  and  child,  whose 
faces  I  recently  had  given  up  all  hope  of  ever  seeing 
upon  earth.  The  meeting  was  mutually  a  joyful  one. 
Gen.  Davis  ushered  them  into  his  office,  where  I  was 


284  TUPELO. 

awaiting  them,  and  then  considerately  retired.  My 
little  daughter,  during  my  ominous  absence,  would 
often  try  to  comfort  her  ma  by  telling  her,  when  she  was 
weeping,  "Ma,  I  think  they  will  let  pa  loose,  'cause 
we  pray  so  much  for  him.  Don't  cry,  I  think  God 
will  send  him  to  us  soon.  He  has  said  He  will  hear 
us  when  we  pray." 

Richard  Malone  lived  in  Jacinto.  Gen.  Davis 
and  I  called  to  see  him.  He  rejoiced  greatly  upon 
seeing  me.  He  had  informed  Gen.  Davis  of  my  cap- 
ture and  re-arrest.  Gen.  Davis  had  ordered  the  arrest 
of  four  prominent  citizens  of  Jacinto,  to  be  held  as 
hostages  for  my  safety.  The  officer  was  just  about  to 
start  to  execute  the  order  when  I  arrived  at  his  head- 
quarters. The  citizens  were  named  John  G.  Barton, 
Col.  Runnels,  Barton  Key,  and  Calvin  Taylor. 

When  Malone  reached  the  point  where  we  agreed 
to  meet  he  awaited  my  arrival.  He  gave  the  pre- 
concerted signals,  but  I  came  not.  We  agreed  to  meet 
at  a  point  where  a  garment  was  suspended  from  a  post 
of  the  corn-field  fence.  But  as  there  may  have  been 
more  than  one  garment  suspended  from  the  posts,  as 
many  rebel  soldiers,  after  washing,  hung  their  clothes 
out  to  dry,  we  mistook  the  place,  and  rtached  the 
corn-field  at  different  points,  and  so  were  compelled 
to  set  out  alone  on  the  hazardous  journey.  At  one 
time  Malone  resolved  upon  the  risk  of  walking  upon 
a  road  a  few  hundred  yards  to  reach  a  forest.  A 
company  of  cavalry  came  suddenly  upon  him  and 
ordered  him  to  go  before  them,  declaring  that  they 


TUPELO.  285 

would  gladly  return  him  to  prison.  They  made  him 
go  on  the  double-quick.  He  said,  presently,  "  I  am 
very  thirsty;  will  you  give  me  some  water?" 
They  replied  that  they  were  going  to  that  house  on 
the  distant  hill  to  get  water.  When  they  reached 
the  house  and  drew  the  water,  Malone  noticed  that 
there  was  no  dipper  at  the  well  with  which  to  lift 
the  water  from  the  bucket.  He  said,  "I  will  go 
into  the  house  and  ask  for  a  dipper."  Two  cav- 
alry men  followed  him,  and  stationed  themselves  at 
the  door.  Malone  went  into  the  house,  shut  the 
door,  and  the  back  door  being  open,  he  ran  through 
the  house,  opened  the  garden  gate,  ran  through  the 
garden,  leaped  over  the  palings  at  the  farther  end 
into  a  corn-field.  Two  women  who  were  in  the 
house  ran  to  the  door  clapping  their  hands  and  ex- 
claiming, "O!  your  Yankee  is  gone,  your  prisoner 
has  escaped."  The  cavalry  men  ran  round  the 
house,  and  seeing  Malone  running  through  the  corn- 
field called  to  him  to  halt.  Malone,  not  heeding 
the  order,  ran  onward.  They  fired.  Malone  ran 
zigzag  to  avoid  the  bullets  which  whistled  uncom- 
fortably close  to  his  ears.  They  failed  to  bring  him 
down.  They  followed,  but  Malone  outran  them  to  a 
swamp,  and  after  many  other  narrow  risks  reached 
his  home  in  Jacinto. 

I  returned  to  Rienzi.  I  reached  Rienzi  from 
prison  on  the  day  that  the  2d  Michigan  regiment 
made  a  present  of  a  fine  black  cavalry  horse  to  Gen. 
Philip  Sheridan.  As  the  presentation  was  made  in 


286  TUPELO. 

Rienzi,  the  general  named  the  horse  after  the  town, 
calling  him  Rienzi.  This  was  the  horse  he  rode  in 
his  famous  ride  from  Winchester,  Va.,  to  Cedar 
creek,  when  he  turned  the  tide  of  battle,  changing  an 
inglorious  rout  into  a  glorious  victory  over  Jubal 
Early  We  soon  left  Rienzi  for  the  North.  When 
we  reached  the  home  of  my  parents  the  rejoicing 
was  as  if  one  who  was  dead  had  been  restored  to  life. 
They  had  heard  through  war  correspondents  with 
the  army  of  my  imprisonment,  escape,  re-arrest,  and 
re-incarceration.  They  had  not  heard  of  my  second 
escape.  Thirteen  days  after  our  arrival  at  my 
father's  house  a  son  was  born  to  us,  August  20th, 
1862,  whom  we  named  John  Knox.  Our  third 
child,  Gertrude  Evangeline,  was  born  February  12, 
1867.  Our  first  child,  Anna  Katharine,  now  Mrs. 
Ferguson,  of  Congress,  O.,  was  born  September  3, 
1858. 

As  soon  as  I  felt  able  to  do  so,  I  accepted  the  po- 
sition of  chaplain,  first  in  the  army  of  the  Potomac, 
afterwards  in  the  western  army.  The  officers  of  the  6th 
111.  calvary,  of  which  I  was  chaplain,  asked  me  at 
one  time  to  give  them  an  address  on  the  subject  of 
my  arrest,  imprisonment,  and  escapes.  I  complied 
with  their  invitation.  At  the  close  of  the  address,  a 
soldier  who  had  deserted  from  the  rebel  army  and 
was  now  a  member  of  a  company  in  our  regiment, 
came  to  Col.  Lynch,  who  at  this  time  commanded 
the  6th  111.  calvary  (Col.  Benjamin  Grierson  was 
the  1st  colonel),  and  informed  him  that  he  was  one 


TUPELO.  287 

of  the  guards  on  duty  at  the  prison  in  Tupelo  on  the 
night  of  my  escape.  He  said  that  I  was  missed  in 
the  morning,  very  early.  One  of  the  guards  noticed 
my  chain,  which  I  had  coiled  up  and  left  by  the  side 
of  a  little  stump,  inadvertently  placing  it  on  the  side 
next  the  guards.  He  called  the  officer  of  the  guard 
and  showed  him  the  chain.  Soon  many  officers 
came  into  the  prison.  All  the  guards  who  had  been 
on  duty  during  the  night  were  brought  into  the 
prison  in  irons.  They  thought  that  some  of  them  must 
have  been  in  collusiot  with  the  prisoner,  or  he  could 
not  have  escaped.  The  prisoners  were  strictly  ques- 
tioned as  to  whether  they  knew  anything  in  regard  to 
the  escape,  or  if  any  of  them  had  rendered  any  assist- 
ance. They  denied  all  knowledge  of  or  complication 
in  the  matter.  One  of  the  officers  said,"God  Almighty 
alone  must  have  known  and  helped  him.  He  could 
not  have  gotten  away  without  assistance,  and  you  all 
deny  having  rendered  any."  Col.  Lynch  said,  "If 
you  had  known  of  his  intention  to  escape,  would  yoxi 
have  helped  him?"  "No,"  said  the  soldier,  "I  was 
a  rebel  in  sentiment  then,  and  would  have  done  my 
duty  and  taken  stringent  measures  to  prevent  his 
escape,  had  I  known  of  his  intention  to  do  so.  Two 
companies  of  cavalry  were  sent  in  pursuit,  with  strict 
orders  to  shoot  him  on  sight  and  not  bring  him  back 
alive."  But  providentially  they  never  got  the  sight. 
One  went  north  toward  the  Federal  lines.  The 
other  north-east.  One  went  in  sight  of  the  Federal 
pickets  near  Rienzi.  The  other  visited  my  father-in- 


288  TUPELO. 

law's,  at  Paden's  mills,  south-east  of  luka.  They 
again,  as  upon  their  first  visit,  searched  the  house, 
mills,  negro  quarters,  and  every  crevice  capable  of 
secreting  a  hare. 

A  Unionist,  Washington  Gortney,  whose  name 
I  have  mentioned,  was  murdered  by  a  band  of 
guerrillas  under  the  lead  of  his  nearest  neighbor, 
one  Bill  Robinson.  Gortney  and  Reece  had  en- 
listed in  the  Union  army.  Gortney  desired  to 
visit  his  family,  one  mile  from  Paden's  mills. 
Reece  accompanied  him.  Robinson  heard  of  it,  and 
gathering  a  few  partisan  rangers,  murdered  Gortney 
in  the  midst  of  his  family.  Reece  was  left  for  dead, 
but  recovered.  In  retaliation,  a  company  of  Federal 
soldiers  were  sent  out  to  burn  Paden's,  Vawter's, 
and  Robinson's  mills  and  ten  houses.  This  they 
accomplished,  and  returned.  This  salutary  proceed- 
ing had  the  effect  of  checking  guerrilla  murders  and 
predatory  raids  by  them  for  a  time. 

How  terrible  for  a  family  to  see  and  hear  the 
howling  hounds  in  search  of  one  of  their  number,  and 
to  hear  the  horrid  and  blasphemous  oaths  of  the 
fierce  dragoons,  swearing  what  terrible  vengeance 
they  will  wreak  upon  their  victim  when  caught  and 
in  their  power. 

"Oh  !  the  inhumanity  of  man  to  his  fellow-man 

Makes  countless  millions  mourn." — 
"  Oh  !  Freedom  !     How  we  love  thy  name, 

We  who  thy  choicest  blessings  claim. 

No  servile  hordes  now  sweat  and  toil 

Upon  our  consecrated  soil ; 


TUPELO.  289 


No  bondman's  cries  fall  on  our  ears, 
No  master's  lash  wrings  scalding  tears 
From  •women's  eyes;  none  wildly  flee 
From  threatened  scourge  of  a  Legree. 
Exempt  from  slavery's  fearful  thrall, 
Sweet  Freedom's  gifts  now  bless  us  all. 
And  those  who  once  did  meekly  bow 
Beneath  the  yoke  are  voters  now." 


MEMPHIS,  TENNESSEE,  February  12,  1888. 
Rev.  John  H.  Auyhey,  Chariton,  la.: 

DEAR  SIR — I  take  the  National  Tribune,  that  most 
excellent  soldiers'  paper.  In  it  I  noticed  your  re- 
quest for  the  address  of  Leslie  Barksdale  and  others 
who  were  your  fellow-prisoners  in  the  South.  I  aui 
now  known  as  Melvin  Estill,  having  changed  my 
name  for  reasons  which  will  be  hereinafter  given.  I 
was  a  fellow-prisoner  with  you  in  that  miserable  den 
at  Tupelo,  Miss.  Delevan  Morgan,  John  Truesdale, 
Byron  Porter,  Ulysses  Chenault,  and  I  were  con- 
scripted, and  because  of  our  refusal  to  take  the  oath 
and  enlist  we  were  immured  in  prison.  We  were 
tried  by  court-martial,  and  condemned  to  death,  with 
the  proviso  that  if  we  took  the  oath  and  entered  the 
army  the  sentence  would  be  suspended.  We  were 
given  twelve  hours  for  deliberation.  You  will  re- 
member we  consulted  you,  and  you  advised  us  to 
take  the  oath,  enter  the  army,  and  desert  the  first 
favorable  opportunity  and  escape  to  the  Federal  lines. 
We  accordingly  took  the  oath.  I  think  our  motive 
was  suspected.  We  were  taken  to  Saltillo  .and 
19 


290  TUPELO. 

placed  under  guard  in  an  old  rickety  building,  with 
a  number  of  other  prisoners. 

That  same  night  we  evaded  the  guards  and  escaped. 
Guided  by  the  north  star,  we  hastened  northward 
with  all  possible  speed.  Soon  after  daylight  we 
heard  the  baying  of  the  blood-hounds  ;  nearer  and 
nearer  they  came.  When  they  came  in  sight  three 
of  our  number  climbed  a  tree.  Delevan  Morgan  and 
I  essayed  to  climb  a  large  tree  that  stood  near. 
Morgan  caught  hold  of  a  withered  branch.  It  broke 
in  his  grasp  and  he  fell  to  the  ground.  He  arose 
and  ran.  I  jumped  down  and  followed  him.  The 
hounds  and  cavalry  appeared  upon  the  scene.  Our 
three  companions  were  shot,  and  as  they  fell  the 
hounds  tore  them  limb  from  limb.  Morgan  had 
sprained  his  ankle,  and  his  progress  was  quite  slow. 
I  made  a  detour  and  concealed  myself  behind  the 
huge  trunk  of  a  fallen  tree.  Soon  the  hounds  over- 
took my  friend  and  tore  him  to  pieces.  These 
hounds  were  under  the  care  of  a  miscreant  named 
Jasper  Cain,  who  was  assisted  by  one  Laverty  Grier, 
John  Graham,  and  others. 

I  supposed  that  death  was  inevitable.  Cain  and 
his  men  held  a  council  of  war.  Cain  enquired, "  How 
many  prisoners  did  old  Bragg  say  there  wuz?" 
"  Four,"  replied  Grier.  "  Well  we've  got  'em  all," 
replied  Cain.  Some  one  said  he  believed  General 
Bragg  said,  "there  wuz  five,"  but  it  was  decided  that 
(f it  wuz  only  four."  Cain  said,  "Our  orders  wuz, 
to  take'  em  dead  or  alive.  Now  how  will  we  prove  to 


TUPELO.  291 

old  Bragg  that  we  killed  'em  all,  an'  git  the  reward?" 
"Take  their  scalps,"  suggested  Grier.  "Good, 
that  is  a  bright  idea,"  said  Cain.  "  Now,  Laverty, 
you  scalp  'ern  with  that  'ere  knife  that's  in  your 
belt."  The  order  was  obeyed,  the  scalps  stuck  in 
Grier's  belt,  and  the  cavalcade  returned  to  camp. 

I  now  hastened  onward.  After  traveling  about 
four  miles  I  came  to  a  cabin  in  a  clearing.  I  knew 
that  pursuit  would  not  long  be  delayed.  I  went  to 
the  cabin  and  knocked.  A  lady  came  and  opened 
the  door.  She  bade  me  enter.  I  asked  her  if  she 
was  Union  or  Secesh.  She  assumed  an  air  of  great 
ignorance  and  stupidity,  and  replied, "  I  ain't  neither, 
I'm  a  Baptist."  That  was  enough  for  me.  I  felt 
sure  she  was  all  right.  I  at  once  revealed  my  condition, 
and  told  of  my  imminent  peril.  She  and  her  daughter 
and  her  sick  husband  at  once  set  about  devising  a 
plan  of  escape.  There  was  a  cave  in  the  hillside  about 
a  half  a  mile  distant.  This  lady,  who  was  of  Ama- 
zonian proportions,  and  her  daughter,  carried  me  to 
this  cave.  I  found  a  cot  within  it  and  a  little  table. 
This  lady,  Mrs.  Cameron,  gave  me  a  pair  of  her 
daughter's  shoes  in  exchange  for  mine.  Her  daugh- 
ter, Miss  Alverna  Cameron,  put  on  my  shoes  and 
traveled  five  miles  northward  to  a  swamp.  She  then 
took  off  my  shoes  and  put  on  a  pair  of  her  mother's, 
which  she  had  carried  in  her  apron,  and  returned. 

Jasper  Cain,  after  considerable  delay  reported  to 
General  Braxton  Bragg,  and  told  him  of  the  fate  of 
the  prisoners,  whom  he  had  left  unburied,  to  be  de- 


292'  TUPELO. 

voured  by  wild  hogs  and  buzzards.  He  then  dis- 
played exultingly  the  scalps  which  he  bore  as  a 
trophy  and  as  a  proof  of  having  carried  out  the 
orders  of  his  commanding  general.  "  But  there  are 
only  four  scalps/'  said  the  general,  "  where  is  the 
fifth?"  "You  said  there  wuz  four  prisoners  what  es- 
caped/' said  Cain.  Gen.  Bragg  ordered  Cain  to 
start  in  pursuit  of  the  fifth  at  once  and  to  bring  in 
his  scalp  or  consequences  might  follow  not  pleasant 
for  Cain  to  contemplate.  This  infuriate  demon 
obeyed  with  alacrity,  and  ere  long  the  domicile  of  the 
Camerons  was  surrounded  by  howling  hounds  and 
blaspheming  rebels.  Soon,  however,  they  seemed  to 
have  discovered  the  track,  and  off  they  went  pell- 
mell  on  the  route  which  Miss  Alverna  had  taken  to 
mislead  them. 

Miss  Alverna  and  her  mother  visited  me  in  the 
cave,  bringing  with  them  hoe  cake,  butter,  and  milk. 
The  rebel  soldiers  had  robbed  them  of  all  other  pro- 
visions. I  feasted  upon  the  regale  these  kind  ladies 
furnished  me.  They  were  delicious  viands  indeed  to 
one  who  brought  the  sauce  of  hunger  to  the  repast. 
Starvation  in  the  rebel  camp  and  prison  had  so  im- 
proved my  appetite  that  it  required  all  they  brought,  LO 
appease  it.  Miss  Alverna  told  me  of  the  pursuit  by 
Cain  with  his  blood-hounds,  and  how  she  had  misled 
them.  They  then  prepared  to  take  their  departure. 
Mrs.  Cameron  and  her  daughter  sang  "Jesus,  lover 
of  my  soul,"  and  a  hymn,  one  stanza  of  which  I  shall 
ever  remember. 


TUPELO.  293 

"  Savior,  I  look  to  thee, 
Be  thou  not  far  from  me 

^lid  storms  that  lower; 
On  me  thy  care  bestow, 
Thy  loving  kindness  show, 
Thine  arms  around  me  throw 

This  trying  hour." 

Miss  Alverna  then  read  the  31st  Psalm.  Two 
verses,  the  35-6,  seemed  very  pertinent.  "My  times 
are  in  thy  hand  ;  deliver  me  from  the  hands  of  mine 
enemies  and  from  them  that  persecute  me.  Make 
thy  face  to  shine  upon  thy  servant  and  save  me  for 
thy  mercy's  sake."  Also  the  13th  verse, etc.,  "Fear 
was  on  every  side,  while  they  took  counsel  together 
against  me,  they  devised  to  take  away  my  life.  But 
I  trusted  in  thee,  O  Lord,  I  said  thou  art  my  God. 
Have  mercy  upon  me,  O  Lord,  for  I  am  in  trouble. 
Thou  art  my  rock  and  my  fortress,  therefore  for  thy 
name's  sake  lead  me  and  guide  me."  Mrs.  Cameron 
then  led  in  prayer,  asking  the  Lord  to  deliver  me 
from  surrounding  foes,  the  bears,  venomous  serpents, 
and  still  more  venomous  Confederates.  They  then 
bade  me  good-bye  and  returned  home.  When  night 
came  I  feared  to  stay  longer  in  my  cave.  I  started 
off  on  my  perilous  journey  toward  the  Federal  lines. 
I  lay  concealed  by  day  and  traveled  by  night,  guided 
by  the  polar  star. 

One  night  I  felt  that  I  must  run  a  great  risk  to 
procure  some  food,  as  I  was  in  a  starving  condition. 
I  found  a  cabin  inhabited  by  slaves.  I  went  to  the 
door  and  rapped.  Soon  a  venerable  aunty  appeared 


294  TUPELO. 

at  the  door.  I  asked  her  for  something  to  eat.  She 
appeared  alarmed,  and  calling  a  little  colored  boy  she 
bade  him  guide  me  to  a  place  where  I  should  be  fed. 
When  I  reached  the  terminus  of  my  journey  under 
this  boy's  guidance,  I  found  a  man  about  my  own  age, 
who  was,  like  me,  a  fugitive  bound  for  the  Union 
army.  Soon  a  number  of  kind  colored  people  ap- 
peared, and  in  this  swamp  we  were  fed  with  all  the 
luxuries  procurable  by  these  kind  friends  who  bore 
the  image  of  God  carved  in  ebony.  My  fugitive 
friend  said  his  name  was  Johnny  Peterson,  and  that 
he  lived  on  the  Taccaleeche  in  North  Mississippi. 
After  many  thrilling  adventures  we  reached  the 
Union  lines  and  were  joyfully  welcomed.  A  minis- 
ter of  your  church  informs  me  that,  by  examining  the 
year  book  or  minutes  of  your  general  assembly,  he 
learns  that  you  are  pastor  of  the  Presbyterian  church 
in  the  city  of  Chariton,  Iowa.  My  address  will  be 
Memphis,  Tenn.,  for  a  few  months.  Write  me  at 
your  earliest  convenience. 

After  reaching  the  Federal  lines  both  Peterson  and 
I  enlisted  and  fought  through  the  war.  Through 
fear  that  I  might  be  taken  prisoner  and  recognized, 
I  changed  my  name,  and  found  it  almost  impossible 
to  resume  my  old  name  after  the  war. 

I  am  glad  to  know  that  you  made  your  escape. 
Tell  me  all  about  it  at  your  earliest  convenience. 

Your  friend, 

MELVIN  ESTILL. 


TUPELO.  295 

O,  woman,  great  is  thy  faith. — Jesns  Christ. 

A  good  woman  is  the  loveliest  flower  that  blooms  under 
heaven.  — Thackeray. 

Ah  me,  beyond  all  power  to  name,  those  worthies  tried  and 

true, 
Good  men,  fair  women,  youth  and  maid,  pass  by  in  grand 

review. — Whittier. 

In  the  years  of  grace,  1881-2,  I  was  pastor  of  the 
churches  of  Ebenezer  and  Good  Will,  in  Sumter  Co., 
S.  C.  While  I  was  conversing  with  Mr.  William- 
son, a  merchant  in  Mayesville,  a  gentleman  in  front 
of  his  store  said  to  another,  who  spoke  of  Judge  S. 
McGowen :  "  The  Judge  has  a  national  reputation  as 
far  as  South  Carolina  is  concerned."  This  man  was 
evidently  still  laboring  under  the  delusion  that  South 
Carolina  was  a  sovereign,  independent  nation,  and 
that  the  United  States  was  a  mere  confederacy  of  na- 
tions to  be  dissolved  at  will  by  the  states  individually. 
The  war  had  taught  him  nothing. 

In  conversation  with  prominent  citizens  of  Sumter 
and  Mayesville  I  found  that  there  was  no  conceal- 
ment of  the  frauds  practiced  at  elections.  They  de- 
clared that  the  negroes  and  scalawags  should  not  rule 
over  them.  They  divulged  to  me  the  fraudulent 
methods  by  which  the  dominant  party,  though  greatly 
in  the  minority  numerically,  retained  their  political 
power.  Said  I,  "  Suppose  that  congress  should  send 
a  committee  to  inquire  into  the  matter,  what  would 
you  do  ?  "  "  We  would  testify  upon  oath  that  there 
had  been  a  free  ballot  and  fair  count."  "  Would  that 


296  TUPELO. 

be  morally  right?  "  said  I.  "Of  two  evils  choose 
the  less,"  was  the  reply. 

Sam.  Lee,  had  there  been  a  free  ballot  and  fair 
count,  would  have  been  elected  over  his  competitor, 
Richardson,  by  more  than  three  to  one.  Yet  Rich- 
ardson received  the  governor's  certificate  of  election, 
and  represented  the  district  in  congress. 

The  Century  magazine,  in  the  April,  1885,  No., 
publishes  articles  by  Henry  "W.  Grady,  of  Atlanta, 
Ga.,  and  Edward  P.  Clarke,  from  which  we  quote. 
Mr.  Clarke  describes  the  revolution  by  which  the 
minority  overcame  the  majority  who  ruled  in  the 
period  of  reconstruction  in  the  Carolinas,  Florida, 
Mississippi,  Louisiana,  etc. 

"  It  became  evident  that  there  must  be  a  revolution, 
and  it  was  carried  through.  The  negroes  were  in- 
timidated from  going  to  the  polls,  so  far  as  possible, 
and  when  violence  did  not  suffice  to  keep  them  away, 
their  ballots  were  tampered  with  and  neutralized  after 
they  had  been  cast.  By  force  or  by  fraud  the  race, 
which  in  several  states  possessed  an  actual  numerical 
majority,  was  reduced  into  an  apparent  minority. 
The  negro  vote  was  practically  suppressed  and  the 
majority  ceased  to  rule.  This  result  was  inevitable. 
Reconstruction  had  sought  'to  put  the  bottom  rail 
on  top/  to  reverse  the  highest  and  lowest  strata  of 
'  society,  to  place  ignorance  and  poverty  in  authority 
over  intelligence  and  property.  Such  an  attempt 
had  never  before  succeeded  in  the  world's  history ; 
it  could  not  have  succeeded  permanently  in  the  South 


TUPELO.  297 

without  destroying  civilization.  It  was  from  the 
first  only  a  question  how  soon  and  in  what  way  it 
should  be  defeated." 

Mr.  Grady's  opinion  is  plainly  inferred  from  the 
following,  quoted  from  his  article  discussing  the 
status  of  the  freedmen  : 

"  As  a  matter  of  course  this  implies  the  clear  and 
unmistakable  domination  of  the  white  race  in  the 
South.  The  assertion  of  that  is  simply  the  assertion 
of  the  right  of  character,  intelligence,  and  prop- 
perty  to  rule.  It  is  simply  saying  that  the  respon- 
sible and  steadfast  element  in  the  community  shall 
control,  rather  than  the  irresponsible  and  the  migra- 
tory. It  is  the  reassertion  of  the  moral  power  that 
overthrew  the  reconstruction  governments." 

Thus  in  many  southern  states  the  minority  repre- 
sents in  Congress  the  suppressed  majority.  This  is 
in  direct  conflict  with  an  explicit  article  in  the  Con- 
stitution of  the  United  States  adopted  for  the  express 
purpose  of  preventing  this  flagrant  wrong.  To  good 
men  in  the  southern  states,  to  all  true  and  loyal 
Americans,  how  humiliating  is  this  oft-repeated  slan- 
der upon  the  fair  fame  of  the  southern  states,  that 
only  by  violence  practiced  upon  a  weaker  race,  or  by 
fraud  in  tampering  with  the  ballot-box,  which  neces- 
sarily includes  deliberate  perjury,  can  the  cause  of 
good  government  be  maintained  in  the  South.  We 
do  not  believe  any  such  libel,  but  what  else  can  be 
meant  by  the  language  quoted  above. 

We  cannot  do  better  than  append  here  an  extract 


298  TUPELO. 

of  a  very  different  kind — one  that  does  honor  to  the 
hand  that  wrote  it  and  the  courage  that  pronounced 
it.  We  take  it  from  the  inaugural  address  of  Pres- 
ident Cleveland. 

"  In  the  administration  of  a  government  pledged 
to  do  equal  and  exact  justice  to  all  men,  there  should 
be  no  pretext  for  anxiety  touching  the  protection  of 
the  freedmen  in  their  rights  or  their  security  in  the 
enjoyment  of  their  privileges  under  the  Constitution 
and  its  amendments.  All  discussion  as  to  their  fit- 
ness for  the  place  accorded  to  them  as  American 
citizens  is  idle  and  unprofitable,  except  as  it  suggests 
the  necessity  for  their  improvement.  The  fact  that 
they  are  citizens  entitles  them  to  all  the  rights  due 
to  that  relation  and  charges  them  with  all  its  duties, 
obligations,  and  responsibilities." 

The  legislature  was  in  session  in  Columbia.  I 
visited  the  halls  of  legislation.  There  was  a  bill 
pending  upon  which  there  was  much  discussion. 
The  bill  proposed  to  require  eight  separate  ballot- 
boxes  and  that  but  one  voter  at  a  time  should  enter 
the  polling  place;  that  no  one  should  speak  to  him 
while  in  the  polling  place,  and  that  if  he  failed  to 
deposit  his  ballots  in  the  boxes  properly,  his  vote 
would  be  lost.  Though  the  boxes  were  labeled,  this 
would  leave  the  illiterate  voter  to  the  almost  absolute 
certainty  of  losing  his  vote.  The  fraudulent  intent 
of  the  bill  was  patent.  The  Charleston  News  and 
Courier,  commenting  on  this  bill,  says :  "  We  have 
great  confidence  in  the  wisdom  and  foresight  of  the 


TUPELO.  299 

present  General  Assembly  of  South  Carolina,  and  be- 
lieve that  in  their  hands  the  state  will  be  safe.  They 
will  not  fail  to  remember  and  to  act  on  the  knowledge 
that  the  colored  voters  outnumbered  the  white  voters 
in  South  Carolina,  and  that  while  the  prosperity, 
nay !  the  existence  of  the  state  in  its  present  con- 
dition, depends  on  the  supremacy  of  the  civilization 
which  the  whites  represent,  the  people  of  the  United 
States  (who  have  already  proved  themselves  more 
than  a  match  for  South  Carolina)  will  not  continue 
to  acquiesce  in  revolutionary  processes,  and  will  not 
consent  to  have  us  represented  in  Congress  by  modes 
which  have  been  hitherto  indispensable  in  the  con- 
duct of  our  state  affairs.  But  were  they  ?  " 

It  will  be  observed  from  the  above  quotation 
that  the  Charleston  News  and  Courier  admits 
the  revolutionary  processes,  that  is,  fraudulent 
methods  used  in  controlling  the  elections  in  South 
Carolina.  I  found  no  one  who  denied  that  fraud 
was  resorted  to  to  defeat  the  scalawags  and  colored 
voters.  I  found  three  colored  men  representing  sea 
island  districts.  In  those  districts  the  colored  popu- 
lation so  greatly  preponderated  that  they  found  means 
to  prevent  election  frauds  being  practiced  upon  them. 
This  may  be  the  ultimate  solution  of  this  vexed 
question.  The  whites  in  the  southern  states  increase 
decennially  twenty  per  cent  and  the  negroes  thirty- 
five  per  cent.  The  blacks  will  ultimately  greatly 
outnumber  the  whites  in  that  region.  In  the  seven 
Atlantic  and  Gulf  states,  the  two  Carolinas,  Georgia, 


300  TUPELO. 

Florida,  Alabama,  Mississippi,  arid  Louisiana,  the 
whites  numbered  in  1880,  3,814,395,  and  the  blacks, 
3,721,481.  There  will  be,  at  these  proportionate 
rates  of  increase,  in  1985,  about  30,000,000  whites 
and  about  1 25,000,000  blacks.  This  ratio  of  increase 
holding,  the  negroes  will  be,  in  one  hundred  years 
from  this  year  of  grace,  1885,  quadruple  the  number 
of  whites  in  the  southern  Atlantic  and  Gulf  states. 
Long  ere  that  date  they  will  suppress  with  iron  hand 
all  attempts  to  defraud  them  of  the  right  to  exercise 
the  elective  franchise  and  to  have  a  fair  count  of  the 
ballots  cast. 

I  found  peon  slavery  in  full  force  in  the  Carolinas, 
through  the  labor  contract  system.  Men  hire  the 
colored  people  to  labor  for  them,  taking  as  security  a 
lien  on  the  prospective  crop,  for  supplies  furnished  in 
advance.  At  the  settlement  at  the  close  of  the  year 
the  negroes  are  found  to  be  in  debt,  and  each  annual 
settlement  only  increases  the  indebtedness.  The  col- 
ored people  may  labor  hard  from  daAvn  to  dusk,  live 
sparingly,  wear  the  coarsest  clothing,  and  yet  end  the 
year  in  debt.  They  cannot  enforce  their  rights, 
though  well  assured  of  the  frauds  practiced  upon 
them. 

I  enquired  if  the  Southern  Presbyterian  Church 
had  made  any  provision  for  the  education  of  the  col- 
ored people,  their  former  slaves.  I  learned  that  there 
was  a  theological  seminary  established  at  Tuskaloosa, 
Ala.,  for  the  education  of  young  colored  men  who 
desired  to  enter  the  ministry.  I  could  not  learn  that 


TUPELO.  301 

there  was  any  institution  under  the  control  of  the 
southern  church  for  the  education  of  the  colored  peo- 
ple in  the  common  or  higher  branches.  The  north- 
ern church  have  established  many  good  schools  in  the 
South,  in  which  all  the  branches  of  a  good  common 

'  O 

school  education  are  taught.  They  have  also  a  num- 
ber of  schools  of  a  high  order,  in  which  the  classics 
and  higher  mathematics  are  very  successfully  taught. 
I  visited  the  Mayesville  school.  Misses  Kate  H. 
Moorhcad  and  Jennie  S.  Hemphill,  of  Bridge  water, 
Beaver  Co.,  Pa.,  were  the  very  efficient  teachers.  There 
were  enrolled  150  scholars,  in  every  grade  of  pro- 
gress. These  young  ladies  labored  from  dawn  until 
dusk,  and  seemed  never  to  weary  of  their  arduous 
duties,  which  they  doubtless  entered  upon  con  amore. 
Many  sable  children  have  they  enlightened  and  evan- 
gelized. Many  other  schools  and  seminaries  and 
colleges  under  the  control  of  the  northern  church  are 
doing  a  noble,  a  grand  work  among  the  children  of 
the  freedmen  and  poor  whites. 

The  public  school  system  of  South  Carolina  and 
many  other  states  was  organized  by  the  reconstruction 
governments,  and  since  these  have  been  overthrown, 
the  powers  that  be  have  not  abrogated  it,  though  there 
is  much  opposition  to  this  relic  of  "Yankee,  negro, 
and  scalawag  rule."  Revolutions  seldom  go  back- 
ward, and  it  is  probable  that  the  public  school  system 
may  survive,  and  by  its  beneficent  effects  overcome 
the  prejudice  of  the  ex-slaveholders  against  the  edu- 
cation of  all  classes.  Strange  that  any  should  oppose 


302  TUPELO. 

universal  education — that  glory  and  cheap  defense  of 
states  and  nations. 

I  attended  the  meeting  of  the  synod  of  Atlantic, 
Avhich  Avas  held  in  Columbia,  S.  C.,  in  December, 
1881.  I  saw  there  a  large  number  of  educated  col- 
ored men,  who,  as  Presbyterian  ministers,  were 
conducting  the  business  of  synod  in  a  very  creditable 
manner.  I  heard  some  of  them  preach.  Their  ser- 
mons were  earnest,  lucid  expositions  of  practical 
duties,  enforced  by  pertinent  quotations  from  the 
word  of  God. 

The  moderator,  Rev.  Moses  Aaron  Hopkins,  pre- 
sided with  dignity  and  ability.  'On  points  of  order 
his  rulings  Avere  admirable.  He  afterward  received 
the  appointment  from  President  Cleveland  of  minis- 
ter to  Liberia,  where  he  died  of  acclimating  fever, 
lamented  by  the  Avhole  synod  of  Atlantic.  Many 
colored  men  Avere  present  as  ruling  elders,  represent- 
ing churches  in  the  bounds  of  the  synod,  Avhich 
embraces  the  states  of  North  and  South  Carolina  and 
Georgia.  When  I  Avas  a  citizen  of  the  South,  in  the 
ante  bellum  days,  these  men  were  all  illiterate  slaves, 
whom  to  teach  the  alphabet  was  made  a  crime  pun- 
ishable by  incarceration  in  the  penitentiary. 

It  is  not  Avise  to  say  that  the  former  times  Avere 
better  than  these.  The  change  for  the  better  seemed 
to  me  to  indicate  the  millennial  daAvn. 

Before  the  Avar  these  men  \vere  helpless  slaves, 
with  no  rights  that  Avhite  men  felt  bound  to  respect, 
scourged  to  their  tasks  by  the  lash  of  the  cruel,  brutal 
overseer,  many  of  Avhoui  delighted  in  every  refine- 


TUPELO.  303 

ment  of  cruelty,  universally  denied  legal  marriage, 
even  by  masters  who  were  professedly  christians,  not 
suffered  to  learn  to  read  the  word  of  God,  affirmed 
by  a  decision  of  the  supreme  court  of  the  U.  S.  to  be 
chattels  personal,  possessed  of  no  rights  above  that  of 
the  ox  or  ass.  Now  the  key  of  knowledge  is  placed 
in  the  hands  of  this  chattel,  by  which  he  opens  the 
door  which  gives  his  eager,  anxious  mind  access  to  all 
the  stores  of  intellectual  wisdom  and  spiritual  lore. 
His  disabilities  are  yet  many,  through  peon  bondage 
and  fraudulent  disfranchisement,  but  they  are  no 
greater  than  those  of  the  poor  whites  of  the  South, 
but  he  is  rising  in  the  scale  of  intelligence;  he  is 
improving  his  opportunities,  he  is  increasing  and 
waxing  strong  in  numbers  and  power,  and  the  day  is 
not  distant  when,  rising  to  the  full  dignity  of  full- 
fledged  manhood,  he  will  assert  and  maintain  his 
God-given  rights,  if  need  be  at  the  cannon's  mouth 
and  at  the  point  of  the  bayonet.  He  who  would  be 
free,  himself  must  strike  the  blow.  The  government 
has  enfranchised  him,  and  bestowed  upon  him  all 
civil  rights,  but  they  are  in  part  kept  back  by  fraud, 
but  he  will  ere  long,  we  trust,  burst  the  shackles  by 
which  he  is  illegally  bound  and  become  a  freeman,  in 
deed,  as  well  as  in  name,  possessed  of  and  enjoying 
all  the  rights,  immunities,  and  franchises  of  an 
American  citizen  with  which  our  national  constitu- 
tion endows  him,  and  which  he,  knowing  and  prizing 
even  above  life  itself,  will  dare  maintain  as  his  birth- 
right forever. 

Farmington,  Fulton  County,  Illinois. 


304  TUPELO. 

Iii  1883  I  had  an  invitation  to  a  field  of  labor  in 
Kentucky.  I  went  down  to  look  at  the  lay  of  the 
land.  At  Bowling  Green  I  met  Col.  George  M. 
Edgar,  who  was  president  of  a  female  seminary.  I 
remarked  to  the  colonel,  who  was  a  Presbyterian, 
that  it  was  unfortunate  that  there  were  two  branches 
of  the  Presbyterian  church  in  that  state.  In  many 
towns  each  branch  has  a  feeble  organization  strug- 
gling for  existence.  United,  their  success  would  be 
assured,  and  their  aggressive  power  quadrupled. 
The  colonel  replied  that  union  could  be  effected  in  no 
other  way  than  by  the  northern  branch  coming  over 
to  them  with  their  property.  They  could  never 
unite  with  a  church  that  intermeddled  with  politics 
by  making  political  deliverances,  as  the  Northern 
General  Assembly  had  done  during  the  late  civil 
war.  They  had  declared  slavery  to  be  heresy,  and 
secession  treason  and  rebellion,  and  that  as  a  church 
the  southern  branch  was  guilty  of  schism  in  separat- 
ing from  the  northern  assembly. 

I  replied,  "Did  the  southern  assembly  ever  make 
any  political  deliverances?" 

The  colonel  responded,  "  No,  sir.  I  challenge  you 
to  point  to  a  single  one." 

I  replied,  "The  southern  assembly  of  1862  took 
action,  of  which  this  is  part,  '  The  assembly  desires 
to  record  with  its  solemn  approval  this  fact  of  the 
unanimity  of  our  people  in  supporting  a  contest  to 
which  religion  as  well  as  patriotism  now  summons 
the  citizens  of  this  country,  and  to  implore  for  them 


TUPELO.  305 

the  blessing  of  God  in  the  course  which  they  are  now 
pursuing.  The  long  continued  agitations  of  our  ad- 
versaries have  wrought  within  us  a  deeper  conviction 
of  the  divine  appointment  of  domestic  servitude,  and 
have  led  to  a  clearer  comprehension  of  the  duties 
we  owe  to  the  African  race.  We  hesitate  not  to 
affirm  that  it  is  the  peculiar  mission  of  the  southern 
church  to  conserve  the  institution  of  slavery  and 
make  it  a  blessing  to  both  master  and  slave.'  Xow, 
colonel,  if  that  be  the  peculiar  mission  of  the  south- 
ern church,  her  mission  has  terminated,  and  it  might 
be  well  to  return  to  the  bosom  of  the  church  whence 
you  departed,  It  may  be,  however,  that  the  follow- 
ing deliverance  made  after  slavery  had  been  abolished 
prevents  it.  In  1865  the  southern  assembly  adopted 
a  long  paper,  in  which  this  occurs :  '  While  the  ex- 
istence of  slavery  in  its  civil  aspects  may  be  regarded 
as  a  settled  question,  an  issue  now  gone,  yet  the  law- 
fulness of  the  relation  as  a  question  of  social  morality 
and  of  scriptural  truth  has  lost  nothing  of  its  impor- 
tance.' This  from  the  assembly  of  1862:  'From  all 
our  churches  we  hear  the  report  that  the  ranks  of 
the  armies  of  our  national  independence  are  crowded 
with  the  noblest  of  our  brethren  and  the  choicest  of 
our  youth,  who  have  rushed  to  the  rescue  of  the  re- 
public, driven  by  the  impulses  of  patriotism  in  obe- 
dience to  the  call  of  God  and  our  country.  We  sym- 
pathize with  you  as  you  consecrate  every  thing  dear  on 
earth  on  the  altar  of  patriotic  duty.'  Again  :  '  The  an- 
tagonism of  northern  and  southern  sentiment  on  the 
20 


306  TUPELO. 

subject  of  slavery  lies  at  the  root  of  all  the  difficulties 
which  have  resulted  in  the  dismemberment  of  the 
Federal  Union,  and  have  involved  us  in  the  horrors 
of  an  unnatural  war.'  In  1861  the  southern  assem- 
bly resolved  to  spend  half  an  hour  in  prayer  to 
Almighty  God  for  his  blessing  on  these  Confederate 
States.  *  *  'The  assembly  met  and  spt-nt  the 
first  half  hour  in  special  prayer  for  the  blessing  of 
God  upon  the  cause  of  the  Confederate  States,  accord- 
ing to  previous  order.'  After  many  other  deliver- 
ances, both  political  and  martial,  in  1865,  the  south- 
ern general  assembly,  with  most  remarkable  self- 
complacency,  made  this  utterance :  '  Upon  no  one 
subject  is  the  mind  of  this  assembly  more  clearly  as- 
certained, upon  no  one  doctrine  is  there  a  more  solid 
or  perfect  agreement  among  those  whom  this  assem- 
bly represents,  than  the  non-secular  and  non-political 
character  of  the  church  of  Jesus  Christ.'  It  would 
have  been  a  glorious  thing  for  your  religion  if  you 
had  not  mingled  politics  with  it,  for  your  politics  are 
of  such  a  character  as  to  impair  the  worth  of  any  re- 
ligion with  which  they  are  mixed.  Now,  colonel, 
please  to  be  silent  forever  hereafter  as  to  the  non- 
political  character  of  the  southern  church.  How 
could  a  Southerner,  sentimentally  opposed  to  human 
slavery,  and  who  was  a  loyal  citizen  of  the  United 
States  of  America,  remain  a  member  of  a  church 
which  declared  slavery  to  be  a  divine  institution, 
and  declared  resistance  to  the  government  to  be  true 
patriotism  ?  " 


TUPELO.  307 

"  Well,"  said  the  colonel,  "  I  am  willing  to  argue 
the  question  of  secession." 

To  which  I  replied,  "Colonel,  I  had  hoped  that 
that  issue  had  been  buried  beyond  the  possibility  of 
resurrection." 

"Sir,"  said  the  colonel,  "It  is  mere  twaddle  for 
a  man  to  declare  that  a  state  has  no  right  to  secede." 

"Col.,"  I  replied,  "Henry  Clay,  Daniel  Webster, 
Gen.  Jackson,  and  many  other  eminent  statesmen, 
both  northern  and  southern,  believed  that  a  state  had 
not  the  right  to  secede." 

"  I  admit  that,"  said  the  Col. 

"  Well,"  replied  I,  "  I  prefer  their  twaddle  to  that 
of  less  lights." 

The  Col.  returned  to  the  charge  by  saying  that 
Virginia  and  some  of  the  other  states  had  framed  a 
proviso  granting  the  right  of  secession  at  will  before 
they  agreed  to  adopt  the  Federal  constitution. 

Said  I,  "Did  the  other  states  agree  to  the  proviso?" 

"Yes,"  said  the  Col.,  "they  did." 

"  "Well,  sir,"  I  answered,  "  is  the  proviso  you  speak 
of  inserted  in  the  constitution  of  the  United  States?" 

"  Xo,  I  believe  not,"  admitted  the  Col. 

"  Well,  sir,"  I  said,  "  if  it  is  not  written  in  the 
constitution  of  the  United  States,  it  is  not  of  any 
binding  force.  But  if,  as  you  admit,  it  is  not  in  the 
constitution  of  the  United  States,  where  is  it?" 

The  Col.  replied  that  he  did  not  know. 

"  No,  nor  does  any  one  else  know, "said  I.  "Your 
statement  is  a  mere  figment  of  the  imagination.  But 


308  TUPELO. 

when/'  I  continued,  "will  you  try  to  exercise  this 
right  of  secession  again." 

Col.  Edgar  answered,  "I  am  as  far  as  any  one 
from  ever  wishing  to  try  it  again." 

"  Col./'  said  I,  "  it  may  not  do  much  harm  to  hold 
the  sentiments  you  entertain,  merely  as  abstract  theo- 
ries, but  the  moment  you  attempt  to  carry  them  out 
in  action  and  give  them  a  practical  bearing,  there 
will  be  ten  million  bayonets  ready  to  prevent  your 
rebellious  designs  against  our  national  integrity." 

"  Sir,"  said  the  Col.,  "  one  who  entertains  and  ex- 
presses the  sentiments  you  do  would  not  be  welcomed 
as  a  resident  of  this  section." 

"Sir,"  said  I,  "I  have  no  intention  of  settling 
here.  I  suffered  once,  for  the  expression  of  loyal 
sentiments,  the  loss  of  all  things  temporal  except  life, 
and  saved  that  only  by  the  skin  of  my  teeth." 

I  said,  "  Good-bye,  Col.,"  and  started  to  leave.  To 
my  surprise  the  colonel  then  cordially  invited  me  to 
visit  the  female  seminary,  at  9  o'clock  the  next  morn- 
ing, and  to  take  part  in  the  opening  exercises.  I  ac- 
cepted his  invitation.  At  the  close  of  the  opening 
exercises,  which  I  conducted,  the  colonel  asked  me  to 
address  the  young  ladies.  I  complied  with  his  re- 
quest. I  then  accepted  an  invitation  to  dine  with 
the  colonel,  who,  as  long  as  I  remained  in  Bowling 
Green,  treated  me  with  marked  courtesy.  I  think 
that  he  regretted  his  brusqueness.  He  met  me  on 
Saturday,  and  told  me  that  on  to-morrow  he  must 
hear  his  old  friend  and  former  pastor  preach,  Rev. 


TUPELO.  309 

Dr.  R.  K.  Smoot,  of  the  state  of  Texa*,  but  that  if  I 
should  preach  on  the  succeeding  Sabbath  he  would 
hear  me.  In  the  bellum  and  ante  bellum  days  the 
expression  of  sentiments  such  as  I  expressed  would 
have  met  with  dire  punishment.  ~Ko\v  the  penalty 
is  comparatively  light.  The  world  moves.  I  vis- 
ited the  graded  public  schools  of  Bowling  Green. 
Prof.  "\Vylie,  of  Danville,  Ind.,  was  the  very  efficient 
principal.  This  school  was  conducted  as  successfully 
as  our  best  northern  schools,  but  the  public  school  sys- 
tem of  the  state  I  found  to  be  as  yet  quite  inefficient. 
Progress,  however,  is  being  made.  Educational  in- 
terests move  slowly  in  the  South.  A  few  years  ago 
there  were  no  public  schools,  and  it  requires  time  to 
create  a  popular  sentiment  that  will  give  them  a  high 
degree  of  efficiency. 

The  question  of  reunion  is  before  the  general  as- 
semblies of  both  the  northern  and  southern  Presby- 
terian churches.  That  reunion  is  a  consummation 
devoutly  to  be  wished,  is  patent  to  all  who  have  made 
this  subject  a  matter  of  investigation.  The  southern 
church  was  born  of  rebellion.  Her  prominent  minis- 
ters entered  the  arena  of  politics,  and  in  sermons, 
magazine  articles,  and  stump  speeches  urged  the  states 
to  secede  in  order  to  the  strengthening  and  perpetua- 
tion of  the  institution  of  slavery.  After  their  suc- 
cess in  inducing  many  states  to  plunge  madly  into 
the  maelstrom  of  secession  and  treason,  they  effected 
the  organization  of  the  general  assembly  of  the  Pres- 
byterian church  in  the  Confederate  States  of  America, 


310  TUPELO. 

thus  linking  with  their  church  the  name  of  the  rebel- 
lious usurpation,  recognizing  it  as  a  government  to 
which  allegiance  was  due,  praying  for  its  success  in 
overcoming  the  Federal  authority  and  in  establishing 
a  permanent  slave-holding  confederacy  founded  upon 
the  total  subversion  of  the  rights  of  man.  Rev.  Dr. 
J.  H.  Thormvell,  of  S.  C.,  was  a  leader  in  the  seces- 
sion movement.  I  have  heard  Rev.  Dr.  B.  M.  Pal- 
mer, Revs.  Carothers  and  Gaston,  of  Mississippi, 
Mitchell,  of  Alabama,  J.  N.  Waddell,  of  Tenn.,  and 
many  other  Presbyterian  ministers,  all  from  the  pul- 
pit, and  some  of  them  from  the  platform,  discuss  all 
the  phases  of  the  secession  movement,  urging  the 
people  to  favor  secession,  as  the  institution  of  slavery 
could  not  otherwise  be  extended  and  perpetuated. 
This  church,  in  its  origin,  history,  ecclesiastical  de- 
liverances, and  affiliations,  is  so  associated  with  and 
allied  to  slavery  and  secession  that  nothing  but  union 
with  the  northern  church  can  give  her  proper  confi- 
dence and  standing  with  the  loyal  people  of  the 
United  States  of  America.  The  southern  church 
would,  by  reunion,  be  made  national.  It  is  now 
territorially  confined  to  the  former  slave  states.  By 
union  many  weak  churches  would  become  strong  and 
able  for  self-support,  through  the  coalescing  of  con- 
tiguous congregations.  "We  would  no  longer  hear  of 
the  northern  branch  and  the  southern  branch  of  the 
Presbyterian  church.  The  schism  would  be  at  an 
end,  and  our  glorious  church  would  no  longer  be  sec- 
tional but  national,  her  boundaries  being  coterminous 


TUPELO.  311 

with  the  republic,  and  her  evangelizing  influences 
would  speedily  be  quadrupled  in  their  efficiency.  The 
majority  of  the  southern  branch  would  not,  if  they 
could,  re-establish  slavery,  and  they  regard  the  seces- 
sion idea  as  no  longer  tenable,  and  in  every  way  they 
give  their  adhesion  to  principles  made  the  supreme 
law  of  the  laud  by  the  stern  legislation  of  war. 

There  are  a  few  bourbons  in  the  southern  branch 
who  an  unable  to  forget  anything  or  to  learn  any- 
thing. These  bitterly  oppose  reunion.  Did  the 
majority  of  the  southern  ministers  hold  the  senti- 
ments of  this  factious  minority,  reunion  would  be  the 
height  of  folly  and  madness.  "  How  could  two  walk 
together  unless  they  are  agreed?"  at  least  as  far  as 
essentials  are  concerned.  A  committee  appointed  by 
the  minority  of  the  Southern  General  Assembly  dis- 
senting from  reunion  have  published  an  "  open  letter," 
purporting  to  be  the  views  of  the  protestants  against 
reunion.  Those  who  hold  the  opinions  couched  in 
the  open  letter  have  not  been  reconstructed,  and 
would  be  a  discordant  element  in  the  reunited  church. 
They  hold  views  that  could  not  be  tolerated  by  the 
northern  branch,  principles,  both  political  and  scien- 
tific, so  contrary  to  reason,  truth,  and  justice,  that 
were  they,  as  citizens,  to  attempt  to  give  them  a  prac- 
tical bearing,  another  civil  war  would  speedily  ensue. 
Dr.  W.  C.  Gray, editor  of  The  Interior,  says:  "Rev. 
Dr.  R.  L.  Dabney  (one  of  the  committee)  is  constantly 
howling,  'They  have  robbed  us  of  our  lawful  bond- 
men.' He  doubtless  desires  the  return  of  the  stolen 


312  TUPELO. 

property.  Nothing  but  full  restitution  and  a  humble 
apology  would  satisfy  him.  This  would  restore 
human  slavery  to  the  South."  The  Presbyterian  Ban- 
ner thus  speaks  of  this  unreconstructed  rebel :  "  Rev. 
Dr.  Dabncy  scenis  unable  to  accept  the  new  situation 
in  the  South,  and  is  not  in  good  temper  with  the  dis- 
pensations of  Providence.  He  docs  not  believe  that 
the  southern  people  have  any  direct  responsibility  in 
the  education  of  the  colored  people.  For  a  man  of 
Dr.  Dabncy's  gifts  and  attainments  to  write  such 
stuff  as  this  is  most  strange.  '  The  northern  people 
have  everywhere  proclaimed  that  the  bible  teaches  the 
abolition  dogma,  and  advised  them  not  to  listen  to 
any  bible  which  does  not.  But  we  know  that  our 
bible  condemns  the  abolition  dogma.  We  cannot, 
we  dare  not  falsify  God's  truth,  even  for  the 
amiable  purpose  of  getting  access  to  the  negro  minds. 
Those  who  have  obstructed  us  by  falsifying  and  mis- 
representing God's  word,  must  bear  the  responsi- 
bility.' This  accords  with  the  view  adopted  by  the 
Southern  General  Assembly  in  1865,  just  after  the 
suppression  of  armed  rebellion  and  the  enfranchise- 
ment of  the  slaves,  which  was  as  follows :  '  The  law- 
fulness of  the  relation'  of  slavery,  'as  a  question  of 
social  morality  and  of  scriptural  truth,  has  lost  noth- 
ing of  its  importance.'  While  the  war  was  progress- 
ing the  southern  branch  declared  it  to  be  the  peculiar 
mission  of  their  church  to  conserve  the  institution  of 
slavery."  As  this  cannot  be  done  till  the  South  be- 
comes strong  enough  to  re-enslave  her  "  lawful  bond- 


TUPELO.  313 

men/'  taken  violently  from  her  by  "robbers,"  it 
seems  to  be  her  duty  to  perpetuate  the  doctrine  of 
slavery  as  one  of  "social  morality  and  scriptural 
truth/'  till  it  can  be  restored  to  its  pristine  vigor. 

This  committee  has  decided  that  the  question, 
"  whether  the  allegiance  of  the  citizen  is  primarily 
due  to  the  state  or  to  the  central  authority,"  was  not 
determined  by  our  forefathers. 

There  is  probably  not  a  minister  in  the  northern 
church  who  believes  that  political  deliverance.  All 
regard  it  as  a  political  heresy  fraught  with  danger, 
and  as  a  treasonable  view  necessary  to  be  suppressed 
vi  et  armis,  if  any  practical  bearing  should  be  given  it 
in  the  interests  of  state  sovereignty  and  secession. 

"We  believe  that  our  fathers  who  framed  the  Fed- 
eral Constitution  spoke  with  no  uncertain  sound,  and 
that  they  formed  a  "  perpetual  union,"  which  it  was 
treason  to  attempt  to  dissever.  Rev.  Dr.  R.  Iv. 
Smoot,  one  of  the  committeemen,  was  pastor  of  the 
church  at  Bowling  Green,  Ily.,  at  the  commencement 
of  the  war.  He  was  a  virulent  and  violent  secession- 
ist, and  did  all  he  could  to  harass  and  annoy  the 
members  of  his  church  who  were  loyal  to  the  govern- 
ment. One  of  whom,  in  his  rebellious  wrath,  he 
challanged  to  mortal  combat  in  the  duel,  according 
to  the  southern  code  of  honor.  Save  the  mark !  At 
last  he  sent  all  of  them  letters  of  dismission,  for 
which  they  had  not  applied,  and  thus  drove  them  out 
of  the  church.  "While  Mr.  Smoot  was  a  student  at 
Hanover  College,  I-idiaua,  he  was  repeatedly  guilty 


314  TUPELO. 

of  the  infraction  of  the  college  laws.  The  faculty 
often  found  it  necessary  to  admonish  and  reprove 
him,  but  he  remained  obdurate  and  incorrigible.  At 
length,  Rev.  Drs.  Edwards  and  Crowe,  the  president 
and  vice  president  of  the  college,  summoned  Mr. 
Smoot  into  their  presence  and  advised  him  to  send  in 
his  declinature  longer  to  receive  aid  as  a  beneficiary 
of  the  education  fund,  as  they  deemed  him  unworthy 
of  it.  Mr.  Smoot  wished  to  know  if  this  course  were 
compulsory  upon  him.  They  replied  that  in  case 
he  declined  to  accept  their  advice,  compulsory  meas- 
ures would  be  enforced.  Mr.  Smoot  became  quite 
angry,  and  affirmed  that  this  was  persecution  on 
account  of  his  southern  birth,  and  in  his  wrath  he 
declared  that  he  hoped  that  the  time  would  speedily 
come  when,  in  civil  war,  he  would  be  able  with  his 
own  hands  to  discharge  a  cannon  loaded  with  grape 
and  canister  for  the  destruction  of  his  northern  ene- 
mies, and  for.  securing  southern  independence  and 
freedom  from  northern  domination.  Circumstances 
pointed  very  strongly  to  Mr.  Smoot  as  the  assassin 
of  a  Federal  picket  at  Bowling  Green,  Ky.,  while 
that  city  was  in  the  occupancy  of  the  Federal  army 
in  the  civil  war. 

A  young  man  was  robbed  of  $2,000  at  a  hotel  in 
Louisville,  Ky.  Dr.  Smoot  roomed  with  him  at 
the  time,  and  many  believed  that  the  reverend  Dr. 
was  the  robber,  as  circumstances  very  strongly  im- 
plicated him  in  the  robbery.  The  minority  brethren 
should  have  chosen  a  man  of  less  unsavory  reputation 
to  serve  on  their  committee. 


TUPELO.  315 

The  committee  state  that,  "It  cannot  be  denied 
that  God  has  divided  the  human  race  into  several 
distinct  groups,  for  the  sake  of  keeping  them  apart." 
They  also  affirm  that  the  "differentiation  through 
color  and  other  physical  characteristics  are  fixed  by 
the  hand  of  God,  since  science  fails  to  trace  the 
natural  causes  by  which  it  could  be  produced  and 
history  is  silent  as  to  the  time  when  these  changes 
occurred."  Thus  making  their  own  ignorance  the 
basis  and  proof  of  a  false,  odious,  and  indefensible 
theory. 

Do  they  really  believe  in  the  unity  of  the  human 
race? 

Again,  the  committee  inform  us  that  wherever 
the  people  belonging  to  different  groups  have  prac- 
ticed amalgamation,  the  result  has  been  a  stock  in- 
ferior in  quality  to  both  the  factors  which  sunk  their 
superior  virtues  in  an  emasculated  progeny.  That 
in  Mexico  and  South  America,  where  the  people  of 
different  groups  have  intermingled  and  thus  en- 
feebled their  offspring,  we  see  slipping  from  their 
hands  the  reins  of  power. 

These  last  two  propositions  are  presented  as  argu- 
ments to  establish  the  first. 

Many  believe  that  science  does  trace  the  causes  of 
difference  in  the  races  of  men.  They  regard  it  as  due 
to  climate,  food,  and  mode  of  life.  They  would  be 
loth  to  accept  without  argument  the  ipse  dixit  of  the 
committee  that  it  is  due  to  the  miraculous  interpo- 
sition of  Almighty  God,  in  order  to  create,  propagate, 


316  TUPELO. 

and  perpetuate  superior  and  inferior  races  of  men. 
Rev.  David  Livingstone,  who  spent  many  years  in 
the  heart  of  Africa,  and  whose  subjection  to  climatic 
influence  and  food  and  mode  of  life  were  not  differ- 
ent from  that  of  the  natives,  though  a  Scotchman  of 
fair  complexion  when  he  entered  the  Dark  Continent, 
had  become,  when  found  by  Stanley,  as  bronzed  and 
dark  as  the  Makololos  whom  he  had  rescued  from 
the  degradation  of  heathenism.  Had  he  taken  his 
wife  and  children  with  him  to  the  land  of  Ham,  after 
a  few  generations  they  would  have  become  veritable 
negroes.  There  are  many  black  Jews  in  Africa. 
Climate,  food,  and  mode  of  life  have  rendered  them 
undistinguishable  from  the  negro. 

As  to  the  Mexicans  and  South  Americans  losing 
power  because  of  their  mixed  blood,  the  committee 
is  at  fault,  not  knowing  the  facts  of  history.  The 
Spanish  people  are  of  unmixed  blood.  Their  colo- 
nial possessions,  one  after  another,  in  Mexico  and 
South  America,  were,  after  fierce  and  bloody  strug- 
gles on  the  ensanguined  plains  of  battle,  wrested  from 
the  Spaniards  by  the  mixed  races.  Does  this  prove 
their  inferiority? 

Many  southern  people  pride  themselves  on  being 
lineal  descendants  of  Pocahontas.  Are  her  descend- 
ants inferior  in  virtue  or  intelligence?  The  Ran- 
dolphs, the  Bakers,  the  Oswalds,  the  Castlemans 
prove  their  superiority.  Are  the  mulattoes,  the  quad- 
roons, and  the  octoroons,  who  are  found  by  millions 
in  the  South,  an  emasculated  progeny  inferior  to 


TUPELO.  31 7 

their  mothers  (their  fathers  are  supposed  to  be  un- 
known)? Their  superior  intelligence  disproves  the 
theory  of  the  committee.  Must  we  receive  as  truth 
all  those  political  and  scientific  fallacies  in  order  to 
induce  them  to  unite  with  us?  The  southern  church 
united  with  the  new  school  body  in  the  South  on  the 
same  basis  of  union  as  that  which  served  as  the  basis 
of  union — the  standards  pure  and  simple — between 
the  old  and  new  school  Presbyterians  in  the  North, 
and  yet  this  latter  union  is  mentioned,  by  this  com- 
mittee, as  an  argument  against  reunion  with  the 
northern  church. 

AVhen  I  lived  in  the  South,  in  the  ante  bellum 
days,  the  fact  that  the  races  of  men  were  marked  by 
diversities  of  color  and  physical  characteristics  was 
not  made  an  objection  to  miscegenation,  as  that  was, 
and  still  is,  practiced  to  a  fearful  extent  in  the  South, 
but  it  was  advanced  by  the  southern  people  as  an 
unanswerable  and  irrefragable  argument  in  favor  of 
the  right  and  duty  of  the  superior  to  reduce  to  slavery 
the  inferior  race.  The  committee  declare :  "At  the 
first  we  hoped  to  hold  him  (the  negro)  in  connection 
with  us  in  our  churches,  as  in  the  old  time  we  were 
accustomed  to  worship  together  in  the  house  of  God. 
AVe  were  slow  in  coming  to  his  ground,  when  under 
the  race  instinct  he  demanded  a  church  and  ministry 
of  his  own."  Just  prior  to  this  they  have  said,  or 
rather  asked  the  question  :  "  How  can  two  races  be 
brought  together  in  nearly  equal  numbers  in  those 
confidential  and  sacred  relations  which  belong  to  the 


318  TUPELO. 

ministry  of  the  Word  without  entailing  that  personal 
intimacy  between  ministry  and  people  which  must 
end  in  the  general  amalgamation  of  discordant  races." 

Yes,  there  may  be  something  of  excellent  reason- 
ing in  this.  In  the  old  time  you  were  accustomed 
to  worship  together  in  the  house  of  God,  and  if 
that  "personal  intimacy  in  those  confidential  and 
sacred  relations"  was  the  true  cause  of  that  amal- 
gamation which  has  resulted  in  changing  the  hue  of 
more  than  half  of  your  former  slaves,  it  is  well  to 
let  them  have  churches  and  a  ministry  of  their  own. 

The  committee  speak  as  if  they  were  in  extreme 
peril,  and  as  if,  were  the  colored  people  to  worship 
with  the  white  people  in  nearly  equal  numbers,  gen- 
eral amalgamation  could  not  be  avoided  and  would 
be  the  result  in  the  near  future.  Your  danger  seems 
imminent,  and  we  would  not  urge  you  to  unite  with 
the  northern  church  if  the  result  would  be  a  general 
stampede  of  your  daughters  into  the  arms  of  the 
negro.  It  is  your  strong  argument,  your  sheet  anchor 
to  keep  your  barque  from  drifting  out  upon  the 
stormy  ocean  of  reunion.  Your  wayward  sons  and 
daughters  must  be  restrained.  At  least,  there  must 
be  no  temptation  thrown  in  their  way  to  induce  them 
to  gratify  their  perverted  tastes  and  prurient  desires. 
It  might  be  well  to  elaborate  additional  arguments 
so  that  this  impending  calamity  may  be  averted. 
Our  northern  missionaries  and  teachers  who  are  labor- 
ing among  the  colored  people  of  the  South,  though 
outnumbered  by  them  twenty  to  one,  are  in  no  peril. 


TUPELO.  319 

~No  case  of  amalgamation  has  ever  occurred  among 
them.  Their  tastes  and  instincts  will  ever  prevent 
a  calamity  so  deplorable.  I  think  it  possible  that 
the  "  race  instinct/'  which  has  led  the  colored  people 
to  go  out  from  you,  will  interpose  a  barrier  to  amal- 
gamation, and  were  you  to  woo  them,  I  think  you 
would  not  succeed  in  winning  them  back  to  worship 
with  you  as  in  the  old  time,  therefore  your  children 
will  be  measurably  safe. 

Re-union,  desirable  as  it  may*be  in  certain  aspects, 
could  not  be  entertained  for  a  moment  were  the  ma- 
jority of  the  southern  people  found  to  hold  the 
political,  scientific,  and  absurd  theories  of  the  com- 
mittee. 

The  northern  branch -has  not  made  a  deliverance 
in  regard  to  evolution.  The  southern  branch  has 
decided,  at  least  in  part,  this  vexed  scientific  question. 
Though  they  will  doubtless  admit  that  the  body  of 
Eve,  the  mother  of  all  living,  was  made  of  ossified 
dust,  yet  they  have  decided  ecclesiastically  that  the 
body  of  Adam  was  made  of  dust  inorganic.  They 
may  deem  it  their  duty  in  the  near  future  to  decide 
the  mooted  question  wrhether  the  wife  of  Moses  was 
an  Ethiopian  of  the  negro  race,  or  the  question,  "If 
the  northern  people  will  not  restore  to  us  our  'lawful 
bondmen,'  what  means  wrould  we  be  justifiable  in  using 
to  compel  them  to  restore  to  us  those  human  chattels 
of  which  they  have  robbed  us,  that  we  may  hold 
them  in  bondage  as  we  did  in  the  old  time."  It  is 
true,  as  the  Master  teaches,  that  Christians  are  the 


320  TUPELO. 

light  of  the  world  and  the  salt  of  the  earth.  The 
truth  of  the  gospel  is  to  work  like  leaven  until  the 
whole  structure  of  society  is  changed.  But  there  is 
need  of  earnest  hearts  and  strong  hands  to  accomplish 
this  result.  The  purpose  is  to  permeate  every  de- 
partment of  human  life,  and  men  are  the  agency. 
Wherever  there  is  iniquity  the  church  is  summoned 
to  cry  aloud  and  spare  not.  When  there  is  a  sword 
in  the  land  the  danger  must  be  exposed.  Who,  if 
not  the  church,  shall  dissect  and  denounce  corruption  ? 
Who,  if  not  the  church,  shall  expound  to  the  state 
the  principles  of  righteousness,  and  emphasize  the 
importance  of  morality  in  law?  The  function  of  the 
state  is  comparatively  limited,  but  the  sphere  of  the 
church  covers  the  whole  domain  of  morals  and  religion. 
The  Bible  is  dogmatic  against  iniquity.  It  is  the  duty 
of  the  church  to  reprove  sin  wherever  found,  and  strive 
for  its  eradication,  whether  in  the  domain  of  science 
or  politics,  whether  in  the  state,  the  family,  or  the  indi- 
vidual. The  claim  of  the  southern  church  is,  that  it 
is  within  its  province  "to  conclude  nothing  but  that 
which  is  ecclesiastical."  Its  theory  and  practice  are 
diametrically  opposed  to  each  other.  Its  purely 
political  deliverances  are  numerous,  and  they  were 
all  made  in  the  interests  of  slavery  and  secession. 

Rev.  Dr.  R.  L.  Dabney  was  a  member  and  prominent 
leader  of  the  synod  of  Virginia,  which,  in  October, 
1861,  made  this  deliverance:  "Resolved,  That  the  as- 
sertion of  their  rights  and  separate  independence  by 
the  Confederate  States  is  necessary  and  righteous. 


TUPELO.  321 

******  The  question  of  civil  alle- 
giance has  been  properly  determined  as  to  us  by  the 
commonwealth  of  which  we  are  citizens."  Now  he 
joins  in  condemning  the  northern  church  for  "a  pal- 
pable invasion  of  the  province  of  the  state,"  in  de- 
ciding a  political  question.  O,  consistency,  thou  art 
a  jewel ! 

The  Philadelphia  Presbyterian,  of  April  21,  1888, 
noticing  the  southern  digest,  among  other  things, 
says:  "It  is  somewhat  amusing  to  see  that  the  south- 
ern assembly  in  1861  approved  a  .clause  in  the  con- 
stitution of  the  Confederate  States." 

From  the  synod  of  North  Carolina,  in  1861,  we 
have  this  deliverance:  " Resolved,  That  the  synod 
sits  appointed  by  her  Divine  Head  as  a  witness  for 
the  right  and  for  truth,  truly  sympathizes  with  the 
state  and  with  the  Confederate  States  in  their  present 
righteous  struggle,  and  cordially  approves  their  action 
in  asserting  and  maintaining  their  sovereignty  and 
severing  the  ties  that  bound  us  to  the  late  United 
States  of  America." 

From  the  presbytery  of  Charleston,  July  24, 1861, 
we  have  this  deliverance:  ."We  do  most  heartily, 
with  the  full  approval  of  our  conscience  before  our 
Lord  God,  unanimously  approve  the  action  of  the  state 
and  people  of  the  Confederate  States  of  America." 

When  the  southern  general  assembly,  which  were 

holding  their  sessions  in  Baltimore  in  1888,  adjourned 

to  Philadelphia  to  unite  with  the  northern   general 

assembly  in  the  centennial  celebration  of  the  organiza- 

21 


322  TUPELO. 

tion  of  the  general  assembly  in  1788,  Rev.  Dr.  Bul- 
lock, the  moderator  of  the  southern  assembly,  re- 
peatedly alluded  to  the  southern  church  by  the  ap- 
pellation of  the  Presbyterian  church  of  North 
America.  He  thus  seemed  to  ignore  the  United 
States  of  America.  Was  this  designed  or  accidental? 
Is  it  true  that  the  name  of  the  southern  church  has 
been  changed  so  as  no  longer  to  recognize  the  United 
States?  Has  the  southern  branch  ever  made  a  loyal 
deliverance  since  their  secession  and  slavery  deliver- 
ances, or  during .  their  existence  as  a  separate  organ- 
ization? 

The  Northern  General  Assembly  of  1888,  adopted 
the  following  resolution,  nemine  contradicente: 

Resolved,  On  the  near  approach  of  Decoration 
Day,  the  day  set  apart  in  memory  of  those,  who, 
during  the  civil  war,  gave  their  lives  that  the  union 
and  the  country  should  not  die,  this  General  Assem- 
bly desires  to  put  on  record  its  grateful  recognition 
of  the  inestimable  services,  the  devotion  unto  death, 
of  these  heroic  patriot  soldiers,  and  our  undying 
attachment  to  the  great  principle  for  which  they 
fought  and  died,  and  with  the  great  multitude  of  our 
fellow-citizens  to  extend  our  prayerful  sympathy  to 
those  throughout  our  whole  country  to  whom  this  day 
brings  still  the  memory  of  immeasurable  bereavement. 

It  is  probable  that  a  few  leaders  in  the  southern 
church,  if  reunion  were  consummated,  would  con- 
tinue a  ceaseless  agitation  which  would  embroil  the 
church  in  a  perpetual  turmoil.  Many  in  the  South 


TUPELO.  323 

blindly  and  implicitly  follow  the  lead  of  those  whom 
they  esteem  as  "big  men."  A  few  southern  politi- 
cians (not  statesmen),  ambitious  as  Lucifer,  inflamed 
that  very  excitable  thing,  the  southern  heart,  and 
precipitated  the  rebellion  in  opposition  to  the  wishes 
and  warnings  of  the  conservative  and  loyal  majority. 
A  few  ecclesiastical  leaders  are  endeavoring  to  pre- 
vent reunion  by  threats  of  secession  from  the  church 
if  it  be  ap;  roved  by  the  majority,  and  by  a  resort  to 
tactics,  subterfuges,  and  stratagems,  which  they  will 
persistently  practice  in  order  to  compel  the  majority 
to  yield  to  them  and  make  an  unconditional  surrender 
for  the  sake  of  peace. 

For  these  reasons  it  is  probably  best  to  postpone 
reunion,  at  least  for  another  decade,  when  it  is  to  be 
hoped  that  sentiments  and  theories  and  practices  so 
repugnant  and  abhorrent  to  Christians  and  friends  of 
stable  government  and  human  rights,  shall  have  dis- 
appeared from  the  southern  church.  Then  they  will 
be  welcomed  with  open  arms  and  joyful  acclamations 
by  the  whole  membership  of  the  northern  church. 
For  this  blessed  consummation  let  all  true  Christians 
ever  devoutly  pray.  Then  will  there  be  indeed  a 
new  and  regenerated  South,  relegating  into  the  gulf 
of  oblivion  the  grim,  absurd,  and  barbarous  traditions 
of  the  past  era,  and  rising,  phoenix-like  from  her 
ashes,  she  will  join  with  the  North  and  the  East  and 
the  West  with  glad  acclaim  in  the  angel's  song, 
"Glory  to  God  in  the  highest,  peace  on  earth,  good 
will  to  men."  This  will  be  indeed  the  golden  age, 


324  TUPELO. 

the  harbinger  of  millennial  glory,  which  we  trust  is 
soon  to  be  ushered  in  in  all  its  fullness  and  blessed- 
ness, to  gladden  the  hearts  of  all  men  everywhere, 
and  to  unite  in  bonds  of  sympathy  and  love  all  races 
and  kindreds  and  tongues  and  nations  to  earth's  re- 
motest bounds,  and  to  make  them  one  in  Christ  Jesus. 
Livonia,  Washington  county,  Indiana. 

Since  the  war'  I  have  been  very  kindly  and  hos- 
pitably received  by  the  southern  people  while  a  so- 
jouruer  among  them.  They  say,  "We  will  gladly 
welcome  northern  people  as  citizens,  if  they  will  only 
let  politics  alone."  I  enquired  if  that  meant  that 
northern  people  who  emigrate  South  must  refrain 
from  voting  and  from  holding  office.  They  replied, 
"That  is  just  what  we  mean."  Said  I,  "You  wish 
us  to  purchase  citizenship  at  too  great  a  cost.  The 
exercise  of  the  elective  franchise,  that  badge  of  free- 
men, will  not  be  basely  bartered  for  a  'mess  of  pot- 
tage' by  the  descendants  of  revolutionary  sires  who 
shed  their  blood  on  many  an  ensanguined  battle  field 
to  secure  this  priceless  boon  for  themselves  and  their 
posterity,  to  be  enjoyed  and  exercised  till  the  last 
moment  of  recorded  time." 

The  reason  assigned  for  this  course  is,  that  if  a  "  free 
ballot  and  fair  count "  were  tolerated  it  would  change 
the  political  complexion  of  many  of  the  southern 
states,  notably  the  states  of  South  Carolina,  Mississ- 
ippi, Lousiana,  and  Florida.  The  colored  people  and 
"scalawags"  in  these  states  outnumber  the  party  in 


TUPELO.  325 

power, 'and  the  majority  of  the  northern  immigrants 
would  doubtless  join  with  them  and  bring  about  a 
political  revolution,  which,  they  say,  "  we  must  pre- 
vent by  all  the  means  that  God  and  nature  have  placed - 
in  our  power."  This  is  the  reason  that  they  contra- 
vene the  idea  of  allowing  residents  among  them  of 
northern  birth  to  vote  or  hold  office. 

I  have  found  a  spirit  of  intolerance  prevailing 
among  the  colored  people.  If  one  of  their  number 
should  vote  with  the  dominant  party  he  immediately 
lost  caste  and  was  virtually  ostracised.  I  enquired 
what  punishment  would  be  inflicted  upon  a  renegade 
colored  man.  The  reply  I  received,  which  was  vo- 
ciferously applauded,  was,  "The  women  would  drive 
him  from  the  settlement  with  switches."  A  mission- 
ary sent  them,  who  was  not  of  their  party,  would 
not  be  received  as  a  religious  teacher  or  minister  of 
the  gospel.  They  are  very  bitter  against  the  white 
people  who  defraud  them  and  keep  them  in  peon 
bondage  through  the  infamous  labor  contract  system, 
and  who  defraud  them  of  the  exercise  of  the  elective 
franchise,  guaranteed  them  by  constitutional  amend- 
ment. They  are  earnestly  hoping  and  praying  for  de- 
liverance to  come.  Every  American  should  resent 
every  insult  offered  to  humanity,  for  if  the  rights  of  the 
lowliest  are  trampled  upon  the  rights  of  the  highest 
are  not  safe. 

The  day  of  vengeance  and  wrath  will  come  per- 
Jiaps  much  sooner  than  the  southern  people  are  aware. 
Many  feel  as  I  did,  when  residing  in  the  Carolinas 


326  TUPELO. 

in  1881  and  1882,  that  I  would  be  willing,  if  there 
were  any  hope  of  ultimate  success,  to  shoulder  my 
musket,  and  throwing  down  the  gage  of  battle,  con- 
•tend  to  the  bitter  end  for  my  God-given  and  constitu- 
tional rights  of  which  I  was  fraudulently  deprived 
for  I  had  no  more  privilege  than  the  darkest  African 
to  vote  and  have  my  vote  counted  if  I  chose  to  cast 
my  ballot  against  the  dominant  party. 

Coming  events  cast  their  shadows  before.  This 
great  crime  against  the  genius  of  free  institutions  and 
the  republican  form  of  government  will  not  long  be 
tolerated.  This  stain  upon  our  nation's  fair  escutch- 
eon will,  we  opine,  be  speedily  washed  away,  and, 
if  necessary,  in  the  blood  of  the  offenders. 

Before  the  war  I  felt  certain  that  slavery  was 
doomed  and  near  its  extinction.  The  insolence  of 
the  slave-holders,  the  increasing  rigors  and  barbarities 
of  slavery,  led  to  the  conviction  that  if  God  were 
just  and  merciful  he  would  not  longer  tolerate  in  his 
providence  an  institution  whose  victims,  numbered 
by  millions,  were  subjected  to  every  refinement  of 
cruelty  that  base  men  could  devise. 

There  was  an  additional  evidence  that  redemption 
was  drawing  nigh  in  the  fact  that  the  prayers  of  the 
oppressed  slave  for  deliverance  were  daily  ascev.ding 
to  the  throne  of  a  prayer  hearing  and  prayer  answer- 
ing God,  and  in  the  knowledge  that  millions  of 
humane  Christian  people,  North  and  South,  were  fer- 
vently imploring  God  to  hasten  the  time  when  Ethi- 
opia should  stretch  out  her  hands  to  God,  when  every 


TUPELO.  327 

yoke  should  be  broken  and  the  oppressed  become  free, 
God  thus  pouring  out  the  spirit  of  grace  and  of  sup- 
plication upon  his  people,  putting  it  into  their  hearts 
to  pray  mightily  for  the  deliverance  of  the  bondmen, 
the  benign  spirit  of  the  age,  the  quickened  conscience 
of  the  wise  and  good,  the  increase  of  an  enlightened 
public  opinion,  the  wide  dissemination  of  Gospel 
truth,  the  signs  of  the  times,  and  the  fulfillment  of 
prophecy,  indicating  the  probably  speedy  approach  of 
the  millennium — all,  all  conspiring  to  the  overthrow 
of  this  horrid,  murderous  Moloch ;  and  these  ele- 
ments of  its  destruction  were  observable  by  even  the 
least  acute  observer. 

It  is  now  evident  that  the  moral  sense  of  the  na- 
tion is  aroused  to  a  true  view  of  the  enormity  of  the 
crime  against  civil  liberty,  practiced  with  bold  effront- 
ery, and  thus  far  with  impunity,  by  the  southern 
people,  in  preventing,  by  fraud,  intimidation,  and 
violence,  a  free  expression  of  political  opinion  at  the 
polls  by  those  who  have  a  constitutional  right  to  exer- 
cise the  elective  franchise.  The  end  is  near  of  this 
great  wickedness.  Thousands  have  been  murdered 
at  the  polls  when  endeavoring  to  exercise  the  rights 
of  American  freemen.  Had  an  American  citizen  who 
had  committed  no  crime  lost  his  life  at  the  hands  of 
Austrians  or  Mexicans  our  government  would  have 
speedily  instituted  a  court  of  inquiry,  or  have  sent  a 
minister  plenipotentiary  with  full  powers  to  investi- 
gate the  outrage,  and  see  to  it  that  the  perpetrators 
of  the  crime  were  brought  to  speedy  and  condign  pun- 


328  TUPELO. 

ishment;  or,  failing  in  this,  through  the  escape  of 
the  criminals,  the  nation  whose  citizens  were  the 
guilty  parties  would  be  held  responsible  for  the  act 
which  could  only  be  atoned  for  by  an  humble  apology 
and  ample  reparation. 

In  the  South  many,  very  many,  of  our  best  and 
truest  men,  true  to  moral  principle  and  loyal  to  the 
government,  have  fallen  by  the  hands  of  ex-Con- 
federates for  this  reason  and  no  other,  that  they  were 
loyal  and  patriotic — and  the  government  has  been 
silent.  Occasionally  congress  has  gone  so  far  as  to 
appoint  a  committee  of  investigation.  The  murder- 
ers were  proven  guilty,  but  they  were  not  brought  to 
justice,  and  when  the  committee  returned  to  make 
their  report  to  congress  these  southern  murderers  slew 
all  who  had  as  witnesses  testified  against  them.  What 
impotence  on  the  part  of  congress.  Can  they  expect 
any  more  witnesses  to  criminate  themselves  (in  South- 
ern estimation),  by  testifying  against  the  murderers  of 
loyal  men?  Many  thousands  of  loyal  men  have 
been  murdered  since  the  war.  Congress  has  dis- 
covered the  murderers  in  numerous  instances,  but  not 
one  of  them  has  been  punished,  and  with  impunity 
they  have  been  suffered  to  continue  their  murders  by 
putting  to  death  all  who  testified  against  them  before 
the  congressional  committee.  What  the  object  of  the 
congressional  investigation  was  is  a  mystery  difficult 
of  solution.  Sometime,  "in  the  course  of  human 
events,"  congressional  investigation  may  be  under- 
taken with  some  object  in  view  worthy  of  the  great 


TUPELO.  32  9 

nation  whose  interests  they  have  been  chosen  to  sub- 
cerve,  and  of  the  citizens  of  the  republic,  whose  lives 
and  property  they  should  protect  by  the  exercise  of 
all  the  powers  vested  in  them,  whether  the  endangered 
persons  are  citizens  of  South  Carolina  or  Massachu- 
setts, and  without  regard  to  their  "  race,  color,  or  pre- 
vious condition  of  servitude." 

Land  of  great  fertility  can  be  purchased  in  the 
Gulf  states  at  from  two  to  ten  dollars  per  acre.  In 
the  near  future  the  attention  of  northern  people  will 
be  attracted  to  this  cheap  and  productive  land,  when 
an  exodus  from  the  North  to  this  genial  clime,  of 
gigantic  proportions,  wrill  be  inaugurated.  "Within 
five  years  after  its  commencement  ten  million  robust, 
energetic  Yankees,  with  all  the  vim  and  perseverance 
of  that  people  will  be  precipitated  upon  the  South. 
They  will  come  with  their  churches,  their  free  schools, 
and  their  higher  educational  institutions.  They  will 
come  with  their  innate  ideas  in  regard  to  civil  liberty 
and  human  rights.  And  as  iconoclasts  they  will, 
with  irresistible  might,  destroy  the  idols  of  the  south- 
ern oligarchs,  and  establish  and  cherish  civil  and  re- 
ligious liberty  in  its  true  and  highest  sense.  They 
will  coalesce  with  the  loyal  element  of  the  South, 
thus  making  it  at  once  dominant  politically  and 
ecclesiastically.  Then,  portraits  of  the  arch  traitors, 
Jeff  Davis,  and  Gen.  R.  B.  Lee,  and  Stonewall 
Jackson,  et  alii.,  will  no  longer  be  found  adorning 
the  walls  of  southern  parlors.  The  portraits  of  pa- 
triots will  supersede  them.  Histories  of  the  war,  laud- 


330  TUPELO. 

ing  treason  and  arguing  in  favor  of  the  treasonable 
principles  underlying  the  "  lost  cause,"  will  be  driven 
from  circulation,  and  thus  the  minds  of  the  rising 
generation  of  southern  youth  will  no  longer  be  poi- 
soned by  them.  Monuments  erected  to  commemorate 
the  perfidious  acts  of  hostility  against  the  govern- 
ment by  perjured  rebels  will  be  suffered  to  fall  into 
decay,  or  will  be  removed  and  destroyed.  The 
southern  papers  would  then  be  compelled  to  be  loyal, 
and  in  their  utterances  give  no  uncertain  sound. 
The  notorious  Col.  Smith,  under  the  nom  de  plume 
of  "  Bill  Arp,"  thus  writes  in  the  weekly  Atlanta 
Constitution  of  Jan.  3,  1888  :  "The  northern  man 
ought  to  say :  '  Oh  !  well,  those  people  down  south 
thought  they  were  right,  and  they  are  just  as  pa- 
triotic as  we  are.  *  *  *  Let  us  begin  to  pension 
their  soldiers,  just  as  we  pension  ours.  In  fact  we 
ought  to  pay  them  something  for  their  slaves.  Eng- 
land paid  for  hers  when  they  were  set  free,  and 
Gladstone,  that  great  and  good  man,  got  three  hun- 
dred thousand  dollars  for  his,  and  our  southern 
brethren  are  just  as  good  as  Gladstone.  *  *  The 
South  is  looming  up,  and  she  will  come  to  the  front 
in  a  few  years.  She  is  solid  and  always  will  be," 
etc.  Pension  the  soldiers  of  the  defunct  Southern 
Confederacy,  that  military  usurpation  which  mar- 
shaled its  millions  to  subvert  the  government  pur- 
chased for  us  at  infinite  cost  by  our  revolutionary 
sires!  Forbid  it,  Almighty  God!  Forbid  it, 
heaven  !  The  servants  of  the  devil  might  as  well 


TUPELO.  331 

make  this  demand  of  the  judge  in  the  great  judg- 
ment day :  "  Reward  us  as  well  as  those  upon  the 
right  hand.  We  served  your  enemy,  the  devil. 
We  promoted  his  interest  with  fidelity,  but  heaven 
has  triumphed  over  us  and  we  found  the  devil,  our 
lord,  a  bad  paymaster.  In  his  service  we  have  lost 
all.  We  staked  all  we  possessed  upon  the  issue  of 
the  contest,  the  supernal  powers  have  triumphed  over 
the  infernal,  and  all  is  lost.  Do  thou  pay  us,  even 
as  thou  payest  thy  loyal  servants,  many  of  whom  at 
the  bidding  of  our  master,  the  devil,  we  put  to 
death,  and  we  would  have  destroyed  them  all  if  it  had 
been  possible  for  us  to  compass  their  destruction.  It 
is  true  we  have  never  repented  nor  confessed  that 
we  erred  in  choosing  the  service  of  the  devil,  and  in 
aiding  and  abetting  his  warfare  against  heaven. 
But  we  are  in  a  sad  plight.  Do  thou  compensate  us 
for  the  losses  we  have  incurred  in  our  attempt  to 
subvert  thy  throne." 

Yes,  Bill  Arp,  you  ought  to  be  paid.  You  fought 
against  the  government  in  the  interest  of  human 
bondage.  You  strove  to  sever  the  Union  cemented 
with  the  blood  of  our  patriot  fathers.  In  mistaken 
clemency  the  government  spared  the  lives  of  the 
whole  rebellious  horde,  who  strove  to  raze  it  to  its 
foundations.  Yes,  you  ought  to  have  been  paid  long 
ago,  and  if  you  had  received  your  just  deserts  you 
would  not  now  be  on  terra  firma  to  make  a  demand 
so  insolent,  and  with  such  brazen-faced  effrontery. 

"  If  all  are  pardoned,  and  pardoned  as  a  mere  act 


332  .  TUPELO. 

of  clemency,  the  very  substance  of  government  is 
made  nugatory,"  says  Isaac  Taylor,  and,  I  fear,  with 
truth.  Treason  should  have  been  made  odious  by  the 
death  penalty  being  visited  upon  many  of  the  arch 
conspirators.  Now  they  demand  the  reward  of  loy- 
alty, and  compensation  for  their  slaves.  Would 
Gladstone  have  received  compensation  for  his  eman- 
cipated slaves  if  he  had  rebelled  against  his  govern- 
ment and  inaugurated  a  civil  war  to  perpetuate 
slavery  ?  No.  When  overcome  he  would  have  been 
blown  to  pieces  from  the  mouth  of  a  cannon,  as  were 
the  leaders  of  the  Sepoy  rebellion,  and  his  property 
would  have  been  confiscated,  including  his  slaves. 

If  the  penalty  due  to  treason  had  been  inflicted 
upon  many  of  the  chief  conspirators  in  the  South, 
the  survivors  would  have  a  more  salutary  respect  for 
the  government  whose  mistaken  clemency  spares  their 
forfeited  lives.  Now  they  live  to  make  the  most  inso- 
lent demands.  Now  they  have  reached  the  sublime 
height  of  arrogance  and  presumption,  by  asking  for 
the  reward  of  loyalty  and  the  same  compensation  as 
that  nobly  earned  by  those  who  imperiled  their  lives 
in  defense  of  the  government  assailed  by  those  min- 
ions of  treason.  What  will  be  their  next  demand? 

Let  there  be  more  legislation  by  congress  in  the 
interests  of  the  loyal  majority  in  the  South.  At 
least  let  congress  emancipate  this  loyal  majority  from 
cheir  disabilities  imposed  by  the  disloyal  and  semi- 
loyal  elements  Avho  bear  rule  and  repress  all  opposi- 
tion to  their  peculiar  modes  and  acts  against  the  true 


TUPELO.  333 

principles  of  civil  liberty  and  human  rights.  Oh ! 
that  God  would  in  His  providence  hasten  the  time 
when  some  irenicon  may  be  found,  and  it  can  be 
truly  said  of  our  country, 

"  Land  of  happy  union,  where  the  East 
Smiles  on  the  West  in  love,  and  northern  sno\vs 
Melt  in  the  ardor  of  the  genial  South." 

Wilkes-Barre,  Luzerne  Co.,  Pa.}  July  4y  1888. 

THE   SOUTHERN   LOYALISTS. 

Col.  Benj.  H.  Grierson,  of  the  6th  Illinois  cavalry 
with  his  regiment,  together  with  the  7th  111.  and  the 
2d  Iowa,  by  order  of  Gen.  U.  S.  Grant,  made  his 
famous  raid  in  April,  1863,  from  LaGrange,  Ten- 
nessee, through  Mississippi  to  Baton  Rouge,  La. 
As  a  result  of  his  operation  Gen.  Grierson  writes : 
"  The  strength  of  the  rebels  has  been  overestimated. 
They  have  neither  the  arms  nor  the  resources  we 
have  given  them,  credit  for.  Passing  through  their 
country  I  found  thousands  of  good  Union  men  who 
were  ready  and  anxious  to  rally  round  the  old  flag 
whenever  it  Avas  possible.  I  could  have  brought 
away  a  thousand  with  me  who  were  anxious  to  come 
-r— men  whom  I  found  fugitives  from  their  homes, 
hid  in  swamps  and  forests  where  they  were  hunted 
like  wild  beasts  by  conscripting  officers  with  blood- 
hounds." 

Pollard  says  :  In  the  last  periods  of  the  war 
the  demoralization  of  the  Confederacy  was  painfully 
apparent.  Rich  and  powerful  citizens  managed  to 


334  TUPELO. 

escape  the  conscription — it  was  said  in  Richmond 
that  it  was  easier  for  a  camel  to  go  through  the  eye 
of  a  needle  than  for  a  rich  man  to  enter  Camp  Lee. 
But  the  rigor  of  the  law  did  not  spare  the  poor  and 
helpless,  and  the  complaint  was  made  in  the  Confed- 
erate Congress  that  even  destitute  cripples  had  been 
taken  from  their  homes  and  confined  in  the  conscrip- 
tion camps  without  reference  to  physical  disability 
so  conspicuous  and  pitiful.  It  was  not  unusual  to 
see  at  the  railroad  stations  long  lines  of  squalid  men 
with  scraps  of  blankets  in  their  hands,  or  small  pine 
boxes  of  provisions,  or  whatever  else  they  might 
snatch  in  their  hurried  departure  from  their  homes, 
whence  they  had  been  taken  almost  without  a  mo- 
ment's notice  and  ticketed  for  the  various  camps  of 
instruction  in  the  Confederacy.  In  armies  thus  re- 
cruited desertions  were  the  events  of  every  day. 
The  conscript,  constantly  on  short  rations,  sometimes 
without  a  scrap  of  meat,  and  frequently  in  a  con- 
dition bordering  on  absolute  starvation,  hearing  con- 
stantly of  destitution  at  home,  and  being  distressed 
with  the  sufferings  of  his  family,  was  constantly  de- 
vising plans  of  escape  that  he  might  go  to  their  relief. 
It  was  estimated  in  18G4  that  the  conscription  would 
put  more  than  400,000  men  in  the  field.  Scarcely 
one-fourth  of  this  number  were  found  under  arms 
when  the  close  of  the  war  tore  the  veil  from  the  thin 
lines  of  Confederate  defence.  Thousands  of  Confed- 
erate soldiers  were  sent  by  the  Confederate  govern- 
ment to  engage  with  packs  of  blood-hounds  in  the 


TUPELO.  335 

hunt  for  deserters  aud  conscripts,  who,  when  caught, 
would  desert  again  at  the  first  favorable  opportunity. 
Thus  the  army  was  depleted.  The  great  majority 
of  these  conscripts  and  deserters  were  Unionists. 
They  hated  the  Confederate  cause  with  a  perfect 
hatred.  Pollard  writes  in  his  history:  Much  has 
been  said  of  the  sufferings,  persecutions,  humiliations, 
and  spoliations  inflicted  upon  Union  men  in  the 
South,  but  \vhen  the  period  arrives  for  a  dispassion- 
ate examination  of  the  real  facts,  the  reader  of  his- 
tory will  be  amazed  at  the  moderation  of  the  southern 
people,  more  especially  of  the  Confederate  govern- 
ment toward  a  class  of  persons  capable  of  so  much 
mischief  in  a  society  threatened  by  imminent  and 
fearful  peril  from  within  and  without.  He  states  as 
an  offset  that  a  system  of  terror  was  established  in 
the  North,  where  public  sentiment  was  unanimous  as 
against  the  South ;  opinions  only  differing  as  to  the 
best  means  of  reducing  the  distant  rebellion.  This 
system  of  terror  he  asserts  could  only  be  warranted 
in  the  South.  The  following  letter  is  a  specimen  of 
the  truculent  hatred  of  the  southern  secessionist  to- 
ward the  Unionist : 

ABINGDOX,  YA.,  Oct.  2,  1861. 
My  Dear  Wife: 

I  have  left  you  and  our  children  in  the  land  of 
the  despot,  but  God  grant  that  I  may  soon  ba  able 
to  make  the  Union  men  of  Kentucky  feel  the  edge 
of  my  knife.  From  this  day  I  hold  every  Union 
traitor  as  my  enemy,  aud  from  him  I  scorn  to  re- 


336  TUPELO. 

ceive  quarter,  and  to  him  I  will  never  grant  any, 
for  they  are  cowards  and  villains  enough.  Brother 
Henry  and  I  arrived  here  without  hindrance.  I 
have  had  chills  all  the  way,  but  I  hope  to  live  to 
kill  forty  Yankees  for  every  chill  I  have  ever  had. 
I  learn  that  Hardee  is  still  in  the  Arkansas  lines, 
inactive,  and  if  this  proves  true  I  will  tender  my 
resignation  and  go  immediately  to  Kentucky.  I 
hope  that  I  will  do  my  duty  as  a  rebel  and  a  free 
man.  Since  I  hate  the  Union  men  of  Kentucky,  I 
hope  to  begin  the  work  of  murder  in  earnest,  and  if 
I  ever  spare  one  of  them,  may  hell  be  my  portion. 
I  want  to  see  Union  blood  deep  enough  to  swim  my 
horse  in. 

Your  husband, 

JAMES  BLACKBURN. 
(Brother  of  Gov.  Blackburn.) 
The  white  Unionists  suffered  the  loss  of  all  things, 

O    / 

and  for  them  there  is  no  redress.  The  Government 
will  not  pay  for  their  property  destroyed  or  confis- 
cated by  the  rebels,  nor  will  they  grant  them  a  pen- 
sion for  loss  of  health  caused  by  their  incarceration 
in  rebel  prisons,  and  although  many  have  lost  their 
lives  at  rebel  hands,  their  families  receive  no  pen- 
sion. They  do  not  complain  of  this  neglect,  but  the 
survivors  rejoice  in  the  subversion  of  rebellion,  and 
feel  themselves  more  than  compensated  for  all  their 
losses  by  its  overthrow.  In.  one  settlement  in  North 
Carolina  there  lived  a  large  number  of  unconditional 
Union  men.  Twelve  of  these  men  were  forced  into 


TUPELO.  337 

the  army  by  the  conscripting  officers.  Muskets  were 
given  them,  but  every  man  of  them  refused  to  touch 
the  weapons.  Every  conceivable  insult  and  outrage 
were  heaped  upon  them.  They  were  starved,  tied  up 
and  whipped;  still  they  remained  firm  to  their  con- 
scientious convictions.  Finally  the  muskets  were 
strapped  to  their  bodies.  One  of  these  men  was  sin- 
gled out  as  especially  obnoxious,  and  whipped  un- 
mercifully. The  officer  in  charge  was  lawless  and 
brutal,  and  on  one  occasion  ordered  him  to  be  shot 
as  an  example  to  others.  He  called  out  a  file  of  men 
to  shoot  him.  While  his  executioners  were  drawn 
up  before  him,  standing  within  twelve  feet  of  their 
victim,  the  latter,  raising  his  eyes  to  heaven  and  ele- 
vating his  hands,  cried  out  in  a  loud  voice :  "  Father, 
forgive  them,  they  knew  not  what  they  do."  In- 
stantly came  the  order  to  fire.  But  instead  of  obey- 
ing it  the  men  dropped  their  muskets  and  refused, 
declaring  that  they  could  not  kill  such  a  man.  This 
refusal  so  enraged  the  officer  that  he  knocked  the 
victim  down  and  then  strove  repeatedly  to  trample 
him  to  death  under  his  horse's  feet.  But  the  animal 
persistently  refused  to  step  over  his  prostrate  body. 
In  the  end  they  were  marched  with  the  rebel  army 
to  Gettysburg.  In  that  battle  they  remained  entirely 
passive,  fired  no  shot,  and  trusted  in  God  for  pres- 
ervation. Very  early  in  the  action  the  officer  re- 
ferred to  was  killed.  These  men,  all  unhurt,  were 
taken  prisoners  and  sent  to  Fort  Delaware.  Here, 
by  accident,  it  became  known  in  Philadelphia  that 

22 


338  TUPELO. 

a  number  of  Friends  were  among  the  captured,  and 
two  members  of  the  society  went  down  to  inquire 
into  the  circumstances,  but  they  were  refused  permis- 
sion to  see  them.  They  went  immediately  to  Wash- 
ington, and  there  obtained  an  order  for  their  dis- 
charge, conditioned  upon  their  taking  an  affirmation 
of  their  allegiance.  This  opened  their  prison  door. 
The  affirmation  made,  these  martyrs  for  conscience's 
sake  were  released,  and  coming  to  Philadelphia  were 
cared  for  by  the  Friends  of  that  hospitable  city. 

In  a  memorial  addressed  to  President  Lincoln  by 
Union  officers  who  were  prisoners,  occurs  this  state- 
ment in  regard  to  the  prisoners  of  war  at  Anderson- 
ville:  "They  are  fast  losing  hope  and  becoming  ut- 
terly reckless  of  life.  Numbers,  crazed  by  their 
sufferings,  wander  about  in  a  state  of  idiocy.  Others 
deliberately  cross  the  dead  line  and  are  remorselessly 
shot  down." 

The  following  is  an  extract  from  an  official  report 
by  Col.  D.  T.  Chandler,  formerly  an  inspector  gen- 
eral in  the  Confederate  service,  addressed  to  Col. 
Chilton,  at  Richmond,  Ya.,  under  date  of  Aug.  5, 
1864: 

"  My  duty  requires  me  respectfully  to  recommend 
a  change  in  the  officer  in  command  of  the  post,  Brig- 
adier General  J.  H.  Winder,  and  the  substitution  in 
his  place  of  some  one  who  unites  both  energy  and 
good  judgment  with  some  feelings  of  humanity  and 
consideration  for  the  welfare  and  comfort  (so  far  as 
is  consistent  with  their  safe  keeping)  of  the  vast  nurn- 


TUPELO.  339 

her  of  unfortunates  placed  under  his  control ;  some 
one  who  at  least  does  not  advocate,  deliberately  and 
in  cold  blood,  the  propriety  of  leaving  them  in  their 
present  condition  until  their  number  has  been  suffi- 
ciently reduced  by  death  to  make  the  present  ar- 
rangements suffice  for  their  accommodation,  who  will 
not  consider  it  a  matter  of  self-laudation,  boasting 
that  he  has  never  been  inside  the  stockade — a  place 
of  horrors  which  it  is  difficult  to  describe,  and  which 
is  a  disgrace  to  civilization — the  condition  of  which 
he  might,  by  the  exercise  of  a  little  energy  and  judg- 
ment, even  with  the  limited  means  at  his  command, 
have  considerably  improved." 

The  Confederate  authorities  at  Richmond  were  thus 
officially  notified  of  these  atrocities,  and  yet  took  no 
action.  The  conclusion  seems  inevitable  that  they 
fully  approved  the  measures  adopted  by  the  com- 
manding officers  at  Andersonville,  and  also  at  Belle 
Isle,  which  was  so  immediately  under  their  eyes 
that  ignorance  could  not  possibly  be  pleaded. 

In  the  southern  prison  pens  where  our  soldiers  and 
Unionists  were  incarcerated,  diarrho3a  ground  out 
their  bowels,  scurvy  cut  oif  their  extremities,  rheuma- 
tism racked  their  bones,  the  sun  parched  their  skin, 
the  nights  chilled  their  blood,  the  storms  beat  upon 
them  until  their  garments  looked  like  the  clothing  of 
a  scarecrow,  and  the  silent  frost  stole  upon  many  a 
one  and  held  his  eyes  closed  so  tightly  that  the  morn- 
ing sun  could  not  warm  to  life. 

John  Beman,  a  watchman  employed  on  a  southern 


340  TUPELO. 

steamboat,  who  had  a  family,  in  Boston,  Mass.,  was 
arrested  by  a  vigilance  committee  for  the  expression 
of  opinions  loyal  to  the  United  States  government. 
The  committee  proposed  to  forgive  him  if  he  took  an 
oath  to  support  the  southern  states.  He  indignantly 
repelled  the  proposition  and  said  that  he  would  die 
first,  when  they  immediately  hanged  him. 

The  congressional  committee  on  the  conduct  of  the 
war  report  that  Major  Bradford,  who  was  captain  at 
Fort  Pillow,  while  being  conveyed  from  Brownsville 
to  Jackson  was  taken  by  five  rebels,  one  an  officer, 
led  about  fifty  yards  from  the  line  of  march  and  de- 
liberately murdered,  in  view  of  all  those  assembled. 
He  fell  instantly,  pierced  by  three  musket  balls,  even 
while  asking  that  his  life  might  be  spared,  as  he  had 
fought  them  manfully  and  deserved  a  better  fate. 
The  motive  assigned  for  the  murder  of  Major  Brad- 
ford was  the  fact  that,  although  a  native  of  the  South, 
he  remained  loyal  to  his  government.  Major  Brad- 
ford had  witnessed  the  murder  in  cold  blood  of  three 
hundred  of  his  fellow-prisoners  after  their  surrender 
at  Fort  Pillow. 

Gen.  Win.  T.  Sherman  to  the  mayor  of  Atlanta : 
"I  myself  have  seen,  in  Missouri,  Kentucky,  Tenn- 
essee, and  Mississippi,  hundreds  and  thousands  of 
women  and  children  fleeing  from  your  armies  and 
desperadoes,  hungry  and  with  bleeding  feet.  Now 
that  war  comes  home  to  you  you  feel  very  differently. 
You  deprecate  its  horrors,  but  did  not  feel  them  when 
you  sent  car  loads  of  soldiers  and  ammunition  and 


TUPELO.  341 

moulded  shell  and  shot  to  carry  war  into  Kentucky 
and  Tennessee  and  Mississippi,  to  desolate  the  homes 
of  hundreds  of  thousands  of  good  loyal  people,  who 
only  ask  to  live  in  peace  at  their  old  homes  and  under 
the  government  of  their  inheritance." 

Captain  Phillips,  who  captured  Florence,  Alabama, 
says,  in  his  official  report :  "  We  have  met  the 
most  gratifying  proofs  of  loyalty  everywhere,  across 
the  Tennessee,  and  in  North  Mississippi  and  North 
Alabama,  where  we  visited.  Most  affecting  instances 
greeted  us  hourly.  Men,  women,  and  children 
gathered  in  crowds,  shouted  their  welcome,  and 
hailed  their  national  flag  with  an  enthusiasm  there 
was  no  mistaking.  It  was  genuine  and  heart-felt. 
They  have  experienced,  as  they  related,  every  possi- 
ble form  of  persecution.  Tears  flowed  down  the 
cheeks  of  the  men  as  well  as  of  the  women." 

A  British  officer,  Lieutenant  Col.  Fremantle,  of 
the  Cold  Stream  Guards,  who  made  a  tour  of  inspec- 
tion during  the  war,  says  :  "  I  met  Capt. ,  of 

Duff's  Cavalry.  The  captain  was  rather  a  boaster. 
Some  Unionists  had  crossed  the  river  to  Matamoras, 
Mexico.  This  captain  had  made  a  raid  across  the 
river  and  had  carried  off  some  of  these  '  renegadoes/ 
one  of  whom,  Montgomery,  he  had  left  on  the  road 
to  Brownsville.  General  Bee,  a  brother  of  General 
Bee  who  was  killed  at  Manassas,  told  me  that  the 
Montgomery  affair  was  against  his  sanction  and  he 
was  sorry  for  it.  He  said  that  Davis,  another  rene- 
gado,  would  also  have  been  put  to  death  had  it  not 


342  TUPELO. 

been  for  the  intercession  of  his  wife.  Gen.  Bee  had 
restored  Davis  to  the  Mexicans.  Half  an  hour  after 
we  left  Gen.  Bee  we  came  to  the  spot  where  Mont- 
gomery had  been '  left,'  and  sure  enough,  about  two 
hundred  yards  to  the  left  of  the  road,  we  found  him. 
He  had  been  slightly  buried,  but  his  head  and  arms 
were  above  the  ground,  his  arms  tied  together,  the 
rope  still  round  his  neck,  but  part  of  it  still  dangling 
from  a  small  mosquito  tree.  Dogs  or  wolves  had 
probably  scraped  the  earth  from  the  body,  and  there 
was  no  flesh  on  the  bones.  I  obtained  this,  my  first 
observation  of  lynch  law,  within  three  hours  after 
landing  in  America.  About  three  miles  beyond  this 
we  came  to  Col.  Duff's  encampment.  He  is  a  fine 
looking,  handsome  Scotchman.  He  received  me  with 
much  hospitality.  Col.  Duff  confessed  that  the 
Montgomery  affair  was  all  wrong,  but  he  added  that 

his  boys  meant  well.    I  was  presented  to ,  rather 

a  sinister-looking  party,  with  long  yellow  hair  down 
to  his  shoulders.  This  is  the  man  who  handed 

O 

Montgomery.  "We  were  treated  by  all  the  officers 
with  much  consideration.  Col.  Luckett  gave  me  a 
letter  to  Gen.  Van  Dorn,  whom  they  consider  the 
beau  ideal  of  a  cavalry  soldier.  They  said  from 
time  immemorial  the  Yankees  had  been  despised  by 
the  Southerners  as  a  race  inferior  to  themselves  in 
courage  and  in  honorable  sentiments.  Duff's  regi- 
ment is  called  the  Partisan  Rangers.  They  are 
armed  with  carbines  and  six-shooters.  I  saw  them 
come  in  from  a  scouting  expedition  against  the  In- 


TUPELO.  343 

dians,  300  miles  off.  They  told  me  that  they  were  in 
the  habit  of  scalping  an  Indian  when  they  caught 
him,  and  that  they  never  spared  one,  because  the  only 
good  Indian  was  a  dead  Indian.  This  regiment  had 
been  employed  in  quelling  a  counter-revolution  of 
Unionists  in  Texas.  Nothing  could  exceed  the  ran- 
cor with  which  they  spoke  of  those  rencgadoes,  as 
they  called  them.  When  I  suggested  to  some  of  the 
Texans  that  they  might  as  well  bury  the  body  of 
Montgomery  a  little  better,  they  did  not  at  all  agree 
with  me,  but  said  it  ought  not  to  have  been  buried  at 
all,  but  left  hanging  as  a  warning  to  others.  Col. 
Duff  comes  from  Perth.  He  was  one  of  the  leading 
characters  in  the  secession  of  Texas.  He  said  his 
brother  was  a  banker  at  Dunkeld.  At  the  consulate, 

,  a  Texas  Unionist,  confided  his  sentiments  to 

me.  On  the  next  evening  he  came  to  me  and  said 
he  hoped  I  would  not  compromise  his  safety  by  re- 
vealing to  any  one  the  sentiments  he  expressed  the 
day  before. 

"  I  attended  the  evening  parade  and  saw  Gen.  Bee, 
Cols.  Luckett,  Buchel,  Duff,  and  —  — .  The 
latter,  who  hanged  Montgomery,  improves  upon 
acquaintance. 

"Gen.  Bee  took  me  for  a  drive  in  his  ambulance, 
and  introduced  me  to  Major  Leon  Smith,  who  captured 
the  Harriet  Lane.  After  the  Harriet  Lane  had  been 
captured  she  was  fired  into  by  the  other  ships,  and 
Major  Smith  told  me  that  his  blood  being  up  he  sent 
the  ex-master  of  the  Harriet  Lane  to  Commoctere 


344 

Renshaw,  with  a  message  that,  unless  the  firing  was 
stopped,  he  would  massacre  the  captured  crew.  After 
hearing  this,  Commodore  Renshaw  blew  up  his  ship 
with  himself  in  her.  I  met  Gen.  Bankhcad  Magru- 
der.  He  speaks  of  the  Puritans  with  intense  disgust, 
and  of  the  first  importation  of  them  as  '  that  pestiferous 
crcwof  the  May  Flower?  *  *  *  Mr.  Sargent  and 
the  judge  finished  the  gin,  and  the  former  being  rather 
drunk  entertained  us  with  a  detailed  description  of  his 
treatment  of  a  refractory  negro  girl,  which,  by  his 
own  account  must  have  been  very  severe.  The  dis- 
tance from  Brownsville  to  San  Antonio  is  330  miles. 
San  Antonio  is  prettily  situated  on  both  banks 
of  the  river  of  the  same  name.  It  contains  about 
J.0,000  inhabitants,  and  is  the  largest  place  in  Texas, 
except  Galvcston!  The  houses  are  well  built  of 
stone,  generally  one  or  two  stories  high.  All  have 
verandas  in  front.  In  the  neighborhood  of  San 
Antonio  one-third  of  the  population  is  German,  and 
many  of  them  by  no  means  loyal  to  the  Confederate 
cause.  They  resisted  by  force  of  arms,  but  were  set- 
tled by  Duff's  regiment.  I  heard  a  dispute  between 

and  a  German  militia  general.     The  latter 

spoke  strongly  in  disapproval  of  'secret  or  night  lynch- 
ing.' In  spite  of  their  hanging,  shooting,  etc.,  there 
is  much  to  like  in  the  southern  chivalry. 

"An  able-bodied  male  negro  in  Texas  brings  $2,- 
500,  while  a  well  skilled  seamstress  is  worth  $3,500. 
In  the  cars  I  was  introduced  to  General  Samuel 
Houston,  the  founder  of  Texan  independence.  He 


TUPELO.  345 

told  me  he  was  born  in  Virginia  seventy  years  ago^ 
that  lie  was  United  States  senator  at  thirty,  and  gov- 
ernor of  Tennessee  at  thirty-six.  He  emigrated  into 
Texas  in  1832 ;  headed  the  revolt  of  Texas,  and  de- 
feated the  Mexicans  at  San  Jacinto  in  1836.  He 
then  became  President  of  the  Republic  of  Texas, 
which  he  annexed  to  the  United  States  in  1845.  As 
governor  of  the  state  in  1860,  he  had  opposed  the 
secession  movement  and  was  deposed.  He  is  evi- 
dently a  remarkable  and  clever  man,  and  much  dis- 
appointed at  having  to  subside  from  his  former 
grandeur.  I  was  introduced  to  Col.  Chubb,  who 
.served  as  coxswain  to  the  United  States  ship  Java, 
lie  was  guilty  of  hiring  a  colored  crew  at  Boston  and 
then  coolly  selling  them  at  Galveston.  I  was  intro- 
duced to  Major ,  a  brother-in-law  to  the  man 

who  had  hanged  the  Unionist,  Montgomery.  He 
spoke  with  some  pride  of  the  exploit  of  his  relative. 
An  indignant  drayman  came  to  complain  of  a  mili- 
tary outrage.  .  A  semi-drunken  Texan,  of  Pyron's 
regiment,  had  ordered  him  to  halt;  the  latter  declin- 
ing to  do  so,  the  Texan  fired  five  shots  at  him  from 
his  six  shooter.  Capt.  Foster  said  that  the  regiment 
would  probably  hang  the  soldier  for  being  such  a 
disgracefully  bad  shot. 

""\Ve  breakfasted  a  Hnntsville.  The  Federal 
officers  captured  in  the  Harriet  Lane  are  confined 
here  in  the  penitentiary,  and  are  not  treated  as  pris- 
oners of  war.  This  seems  to  be  the  system  now  with 
regard  to  officers,  since  the  enlistment  of  negroes  by 


346  TUPELO. 

northerners.  My  fellow-travelers  of  all  classes  are 
much  given  to  talk  about  their  '  peculiar  institution.' 
They  do  not  attempt  to  deny  that  there  are  many 
instances  of  cruelty,  and  all  seem  to  be  perfectly 
aware  that  slavery,  which  they  did  not  invent  but 
which  they  inherited  from  us  (English),  is  and  always 
will  be  the  great  bar  to  the  sympathy  of  the  civilized 
world.  I  have  heard  these  words  used  over  and  over 
again. 

"  I  started  again  by  stage  for  Monroe,  La.  My 
companions  were  a  Mississippi  planter,  a  mad  dentist 
from  New  Orleans  (called  by  courtesy  doctor),  an 
old  man  from  Matagorda,  buying  slaves  cheap  in 
Louisiana,  a  wounded  officer,  and  a  soldier.  The 
soldier  was  a  very  intelligent  Missourian,  who  told 
me  (as  others  have)  that  at  the  commencement  of  the 
troubles  both  he  and  his  family  were  strong  Union- 
ists, but  the  Lincolnites  by  using  coercion  had  forced 
them  to  take  one  side  or  the  other  and  now  there 
were  no  more  bitter  secessionists.  This  soldier  (Mr. 
Douglas)  was  on  his  way  to  join  Bragg's  army.  A 
Confederate  soldier  when  wounded  is  not  given  his 
discharge,  but  is  employed  at  such  work  as  he 
is  competent  to  perform.  Mr.  Douglas  is  quite 
lame,  but  will  be  employed  at  mounted  duties  or  at 
writing. 

"  At  a  charming  little  town  called  Minden,  I  met 
an  Englishman,  who  deplored  to  me  that  he  had 
been  such  a  fool  as  to  naturalize  himself,  as  he  was 
in  hourly  dread  of  conscription.  Nearly  every  man 


TUPELO.  347 

in  this  part  of  the  country  has  a  military  title.  Re- 
marking upon  the  prevalence  of  military  titles,  Gen. 
Johnson  said,  '  You  must  be  astonished  to  find  how 
fond  we  are  of  titles,  though  we  are  all  republicans, 
and  as  we  can't  get  any  other  sort,  we  all  take  military 
ones.'  I  find  the  soldiers  sober  from  necessity,  as 
there  is  literally  no  liquor  to  be  got.  There  is  great 
indisposition  upon  the  part  of  the  Confederates  to 
take  prisoners,  particularly  among  these  wild  Mis- 
sissippians.  One  of  Henderson's  scouts  apologized 
for  bringing  in  a  Yankee  prisoner  by  saying  that  he 
surrendered  so  quick  he  couldn't  kill  him.  Gen. 
Johnston  told  me  this  evening  that  he  had  been 
wounded  ten  times.  He  was  the  senior  officer  of  the 
old  army  who  joined  the  Confederates,  and  he  com- 
manded the  Virginia  army  till  he  was  severely 
wounded  at  Seven  Pines,  called  Fair  Oaks,  by  the 
Federals.  News  arrived  this  evening  of  the  hanging 
of  a  negro  regiment  with  forty  Yankee  officers.  I 
attended  a  review  by  Gen.  Hardee.  After  the  re- 
view the  troops  were  harangued  by  Bishop  Elliott, 
in  an  excellent  address,  partly  religious,  partly  patri- 
otic. Col.  Richmond  gave  me  the  particulars  of 
Gen.  VanDorn's  death.  He  had  ravished  the  wife 
of  Dr.  Peters,  and  was  shot  by  the  aggrieved  hus- 
band." 

This,  from  a  southern  newspaper  indicates  the 
temper  of  the  times  in  1861  :  "  We  unhesitatingly 
say  that  the  cause  of  justice  and  the  cause  of  human- 
ity itself  demands  that  the  black  flag  shall  be  unfurled 


348  TUPELO. 

on  every  field — that  extermination  and  death  shall 
be  proclaimed  against  the  hellish  miscreants  who  per- 
sist in  polluting  our  soil  with  their  crimes.  We  will 
stop  the  effusion  of  blood,  we  will  arrest  the  horrors 
of  war,  by  terrific  slaughter  of  the  foe,  by  examples 
of  overwhelming  and  unsparing  vengeance.  When 
Oliver  Cromwell  massacred  the  garrison  of  Drogheda, 
suffering  not  a  man  to  escape,  he  justified  it  on  the 
ground  that  his  object  was  to  bring  the  war  to  a  close, 
to  stop  the  effusion  of  blood,  and  that  it  wras,  there- 
fore, a  merciful  act  on  his  part.  The  South  cannot 
afford  longer  to  trifle.  She  must  strike  the  most 
fearful  blows — the  war  cry  of  extermination  must 
be  raised." 

The  Nashville  (Tenn.)  Courier  published  this 
news  item  : 

"  We  learn  that  a  squad  of  twelve  men  were  sent 
to  Franklin  yesterday  to  arrest  some  Lincolnites. 
They  had  collected  to  the  number  of  fifteen  at  the 
house  of  one  of  their  number,  one  Bell,  and  defying 
the  party,  fired  at  them,  killing  one  man  by  the 
name  of  Lee,  and  wounding  one  or  two  more.  Our 
men  then  charged  the  house  and  set  fire  to  it,  and  all 
the  men  in  it,  it  is  believed,  but  two,  who  escaped, 
perished  in  the  conflagration." 

The  act  of  the  Confederate  congress  for  the  sup- 
pression of  the  slave  trade  was  couched  in  the  usual 
terms,  but  contained  a  provision  for  dealing  with  the 
negroes  found  on  board  the  captured  vessels,  which 
is  somewhat  amusing.  "  If  the  vessel  is  cleared 


TUPELO.  349 

from  any  port  in  the  United  States,  the  president 
shall  communicate  with  any  governor  of  that  state, 
and  shall  offer  to  deliver  such  negroes  to  the  said 
state  on  receiving  a  guarantee  that  the  said  negroes 
shall  enjoy  the  rights  and  privileges  of  freemen  in 
such  state,  or  in  any  other  state  of  the  United  States, 
or  that  they  shall  be  transported  to  Africa  and  there 
be  set  at  liberty,  without  expense  to  the  government." 
The  notion  of  the  Confederate  states  bargaining  with 
Massachusetts  or  Ohio  that  a  negro  shall  have  all 
the  rights  and  privileges  of  a  freeman  might  imply  a 
doubt  as  to  the  sincerity  of  their  professions  in  be- 
half of  the  negro.  In  default  of  the  foreign  state 
accepting  this  offer,  the  president  was  empowered  to 
receive  any  propositions  made  for  the  transportation 
of  the  negroes  to  Africa  by  private  persons ;  should 
no  such  philanthropist  offer  himself,  the  president 
shall  cause  the  said  negroes  to  be  sold  at  public  auc- 
tion to  the  highest  bidder.  This  is  a  sad  declension 
from  the  lofty  morality  of  the  earlier  part  of  the 
clause.  This  act  was  passed  with  entire  unanimity 
by  the  Confederate  congress. 

Xear  the  close  of  the  war  the  Confederate  congress 
called  upon  the  negro  for  help, offering  him  his  free- 
dom and  a  quarter  section  of  government  land  for 
his  services  as  a  soldier.  But  the  offer  came  too  late, 
the  rebellion  soon  after  collapsed.  The  South,  before 
this,  professed  to  regard  freedom  as  a  curse  to  the 
negro  and  slavery  as  a  blessing.  O  !  consistency, 
thou  art  a  jewel. 


350  TUPELO. 

The  southern  leaders  had  been  preparing  for  years 
to  destroy  the  Union.  Mr.  Keitt,  of  South  Caro- 
lina, in  the  convention  which  met  to  carry  the  state 
out  of  the  Union,  said :  "  I  have  been  engaged  in 
this  movement  ever  since  I  entered  political  life." 
Mr.  Inglis  said,  "  Most  of  us  have  had  this  subject 
under  consideration  for  twenty  years."  Mr.  Rhctt 
said,  "  It  is  nothing  produced  by  Mr.  Lincoln's  elec- 
tion or  the  non-execution  of  the  fugitive  slave  law. 
It  is  a  matter  that  has  been  gathering  head  for  thirty 
years." 

Preamble  to  the  Florida  ordinance  of  secession  : 

WHEREAS,  All  hope  of  preserving  the  Union 
upon  terms  consistent  with  the  safety  and  honor  of 
the  slave-holding  states  has  been  finally  dissipated  by 
the  recent  indications  of  the  strength  of  the  anti- 
slavery  sentiment  of  Ihe  free  states.  This  compels 
Florida  to  secede  from  the  Union,  and  to  become  a 
sovereign  and  independent  nation,  and  that  all  ordi- 
nances heretofore  adopted,  in  so  far  as  they  create  or 
recognize  the  confederacy  of  states  called  the  United 
States  of  America  are  rescinded. 

Stephen  A.  Douglas  said :  "  The  question  is,  are 
we  to  maintain  the  country  of  our  fathers  or  allow  it 
to  be  stricken  down  by  those  who,  when  they  can  no 
longer  govern,  threaten  to  destroy?  "What  cause, 
what  excuse  do  disunionists  give  us  for  breaking  np 
the  best  government  on  which  the  sun  of  heaven  ever 
shed  its  rays  ?  They  are  dissatisfied  with  the  result 
of  the  presidential  election.  Did  they  never  get 


TUPELO.  S5i 

l>eaten  before?  Are  we  to  resort  to  the  sword 
when  we  get  defeated  at  the  ballot-box  ?  I  under- 
stand it  that  the  voice  of  the  people  expressed  in  the 
mode  appointed  by  the  constitution  must  command 
the  obedience -of  every  citizen.  They  assume,  on  the 
election  of  a  particular  candidate,  that  their  rights 
are  not  safe  in  the  Union.  What  evidence  do  they 
present  of  this  ?  I  defy  any  man  to  show  any  act 
upon  which  it  is  based.  What  act  was  omitted  to  be 
done  ?  I  appeal  to  these  assembled  thousands,  that 
so  far  as  the  constitutional  rights  of  slave-holders 
are  concerned,  nothing  has  been  done  and  nothing 
omitted,  of  which  they  can  complain.  There  has 
never  been  a  time  from  the  day  that  Washington  was 
inaugurated  first  president  of  the  United  States,  when 
the  rights  of  the  southern  states  stood  firmer  under 
the  laws  of  the  land  than  they  do  now  ;  there  never 
was  a  time  when  they  had  not  as  good  cause  for  dis- 
union as  they  have  to-day.  What  good  cause  have 
they  now  that  has  not  existed  under  every  adminis- 
tration. If  they  say  the  territorial  question — now, 
for  the  first  time,  there  is  no  act  of  congress  prohibit- 
ing slavery  anywhere.  If  ib  be  the  enforcement  of 
the  laws,  the  only  complaints  that  I  have  beard  have 
been  of  the  too  vigorous  and  too  faithful  fulfillment 
of  the  fugitive  slave  law.  Then  what  reason  have 
they  ?  The  slavery  question  is  a  mere  excuse.  The 
election  of  Lincoln  is  a  mere  pretext.  The  present 
secession  movement  is  the  result  of  an  enormous  con- 
spiracy formed  more  than  a  year  since,  formed  by 


352  TUPELO. 

the  leaders  in  the  Southern  Confederacy  more  than 
twelve  months  ago.  But  this  is  no  time  for  the 
detail  of  causes.  The  conspiracy  is  now  known. 
Armies  have  been  raised,  war  is  levied  to  accomplish 
it.  There  are  only  two  sides  to  this  question.  Every 
man  must  be  for  the  Union  or  against  it.  There  can 
be  no  more  neutrals  in  this  war,  only  patriots  or 
traitors.  'V 

"Thank  God,  Illinois  is  not  divided  upon  the 
question.  I  know  they  expected  to  present  a  united 
South  against  a  divided  North.  They  hoped  that  in 
the  northern  states  party  questions  would  bring  civil 
war  between  democrats  and  republicans,  when  the 
South  would  step  in  with  her  cohorts,  aid  one  party 
to  conquer  the  other,  and  then  make  easy  prey  of  the 
victors.  Their  scheme  was  carnage  and  civil  war  in 
the  North.  There  is  but  one  way  to  defeat  this.  In 
Illinois  it  is  being  so  defeated  by  closing  up  the 
ranks.  I  express  it  as  my  conviction  before  God 
that  it  is  the  duty  of  every  American  citizen  to  rally 
around  the  flag  of  his  country." 

Gen.  Grant  says:  "In  the  South  no  opposition 
was  allowed  to  the  government  which  had  been  set 
up.  The  Union  sentiment  was  thoroughly  subdued." 

In  Kentucky  Valley,  Ala.,  ten  Unionists  were 
arrested  at  their  homes,  taken  to  a  Primitive  Baptist 
church  and  tried  by  the  vigilantes,  and  condemned  as 
submissionists  and  as  traitors  to  the  Southern  Confed- 
eracy, and  immediately  shot.  Their  names  were :  G. 
W.  Castleman,  Eli  Paul  Manning,  Geo.  Pentecost, 


TUPELO.  353 

Emory  Paden,  Rodman  Tankersley,  Sydney  Smith, 
John  Bunyan,  Verner  Kaiser  Knight,  Clay  Bonar, 
and  David  Crockett,  Jr. 

Like  the  ferocious  tiger  when  he  tastes  blood, 
they  started  to  arrest  Louis  Saterthwaite,  a  noted 
Unionist.  Upon  reaching  his  cabin  they  found  it 
barricaded.  They  ordered  Saterthwaite  to  open  the 
door.  He  refused.  Going  to  the  woods  they  pro- 
cured a  large  log  to  be  used  as  a  battering-ram  to 
break  down  the  door.  As  they  came  within  range  a 
well  directed  volley  from  the  cabin  leveled  ten  of 
these  miscreants  in  the  dust.  This  unexpected  de- 
fense caused  the  assailants  to  drop  their  battering-ram 
and  beat  a  hasty  retreat  to  an  adjoining  forest.  Four 
of  their  number  were  killed  outright:  Joe.  Hines, 
Sam  Kendall,  Bill  Gaddy,  and  Josh  Blue.  The 
others  managed  to  crawl  into  the  woods,  but  Jo 
Bardwell,  through  whose  head  a  buckshot  had  passed, 
died  the  next  day.  Saterthwaite  had  with  him  five 
friends,  staunch  Unionists,  who  resolved  to  sell  their 
lives  as  dearly  as  possible.  Their  names  were  Mid- 
dleton  Walker,  John  Franklin,  Alonzo  Winston, 
Morris  Jefferson,  and  Pelhani  Shelby.  Upon  the 
retreat  of  their  enemies  they  held  a  council  of  war 
and  decided  that  as  soon  as  the  twilight  deepened  into 
night  they  would  make  their  escape,  and  abandoning 
their  homes  and  families  for  a  time,  would  follow  the 
polar  star  till  they  reached  some  Union  outpost. 
They  well  knew  that  the  discomfited  vigilantes 
would  soon  return  with  large  reinforcements,  and 
23 


354  TUPELO. 

they  had  no  hope  that  mercy  would  be  shown  them 
by  these  infuriate  demons  incarnate.  Two  days 
elapsed  before  the  vigilantes  returned.  They  came 
five  hundred' strong,  led  by  Aaron  Bloch,  a  virulent 
secessionist,  but  such  was  their  dread  that  they  did 
not  dare  leave  the  woods.  At  length,  the  cannon 
which  they  had  sent  for  arrived,  and  they,  with  this 
engine  of  war,  demolished  the  cabin  without  demand- 
ing a  surrender.  But  the  birds  had  flown  and  were 
far  on  their  way  toward  the  Federal  lines.  A  large 
company  for  pursuit  was  organized.  Fifty  hounds 
were  secured  and  put  on  the  trail.  For  four  days 
they  followed  fast.  Saterthwaite  and  his  little  band  of 
compatriots  had  reached  the  Union  lines.  The  general 
in  command,  kindly  granting  his  request,  sent  out  a 
large  force  of  cavalry  to  bring  in  the  families  of  these 
men  and  of  the  ten  that  were  murdered.  Six  hours 
after  they  had  left  the  camp  they  heard  the  loud  baying 
of  the  blood-hounds,  indicating  the  near  approach  of 
their  foes.  Concealing  themselves  they  awaited  their 
advent.  Soon  they  came  in  full  view  and  in  good 
range.  A  well  directed  volley  emptied  many  a  sad- 
dle. They  turned  and  fled.  Pursuit  was  rapid. 
Twenty-five  prisoners  were  captured,  and  many  vigi- 
lantes were  slain.  The  families  were  reached  and 
brought  into  the  Federal  lines  and  sent  north.  As  to 
the  twenty-five  prisoners,  Rufus  Curlee,  their  leader, 
was  compelled  to  witness  the  death  by  hanging  of 
twenty-three  of  the  number.  Curlee  then  met  the 
fate  of  his  confederates  in  guilt.  Gideon  Brevoort 


TUPELO.  355 

recognized  by  Saterthwaite  as  a  Unionist  who 
was  compelled  •  to  join  this  band  of  pursuers  as  a 
guide,  in  order  to  save  his  life.  He  was  brought  in 
with  them  and  at  once  enlisted  in  the  service  of  the 
government  in  a  company  of  sappers  and  miners. 
He  was  a  man  of  fine  physique,  and  of  great  physical 
strength.  He  proved  an  invaluable  addition  to  the 
service.  Near  the  close  of  the  war  he  was  instantly 
killed  by  a  rebel  sharp-shooter,  while  engaged  with 
others  in  the  construction  of  a  pontoon  bridge,  and 
was  buried  with  the  honors  of  war.  His  comrades 
erected  a  monument  to  his  memory.  They  confis- 
cated a  number  of  monuments  found  in  a  marble 
works  in  a  town  near  their  encampment.  Two  of 
their  number,  marble  cutters,  engraved  on  the  monu- 
ment the  following :  "  In  Memoriam.  Died  on  the 
field  of  honor,  March  1st,  1865,  Gideon  Brevoort, 
.aged  32  yrs.  4  mos.  and  15  days." 

Eeleased  from  earthly  care  and  strife, 
With  Thee  is  hidden  all  his  life ; 
Thy  word  is  true,  thy  will  is  just, 
With  thee  we  leave  him,  Lord,  in  trust. 

You  who  come  my  grave  to  view, 
A  moment  stop  and  think 
That  I  am  in  eternity 
And  you  are  on  the  brink. 

Soldier,  rest,  thy  warfare  o'er, 
Sleep  the  sleep  that  knows  no  waking, 
Dream  of  battle  fields  no  more, 
Days  of  danger,  nights  of  waking. 

Take  ye  heed,  watch  and  pray,  for  ye  know  not  when  the 
time  is.     Mark  xiii.  33. 


356  TUPELO. 

So  let  him  rest  beneath  the  sod, 
His  form  with  us,  his  soul  with  God. 
Requiescat  in  pace. 

If  we  had  not  removed  our  encampment,  his 
friends,  Seymour  Carpenter  and  Marquis  Glover, 
would  have  covered  the  whole  monument  with  laud' 
atory  inscriptions  and  epitaphs. 

A  letter  from  his  brother,  Prof.  Franklin  Brevoort, 
found  in  Gideon's  tent  after  his  burial,  may  be 
interesting : 

MEMPHIS,  TENN.,  Dec.  16,  1864. 
Dear  Brother: 

I  have  just  learned  your  address.  I,  too, 
made  my  escape  to  the  Federal  lines.  When 
the  tocsin  of  war  sounded  I  was  teaching  in  Pensacola, 
Florida.  Teachers  and  ministers  employed  in  their 
vocation  were  by  Confederate  law  exempt  from  service 
in  the  army.  When  the  summer  vacation  of  1861 
came  I  felt  that  body,  soul,  and  spirit  with  united 
voice  demanded  rest — a  period  of  absolute  freedom 
from  all  secular  cares  and  avocations.  The  duties  of 
the  class-room  had  been  peculiarly  severe  and  exacting 
during  the  academic  year  just  closed.  But  the  trying 
ordeal  was  passed,  and  vacation  had  come.  Homer 
and  Horace,  Virgil  and  Xenophon,  Legend  re  and 
Bourdon,  Watts  and  Whately,  and  all  the  tomes  of 
ancient  and  modern  lore  were  consigned  for  the  time 
to  the  gloomy  alcoves  of  the  library,  there  to  rest  in 
silent  companionship  till  vacation  ended  and  schol- 
astic duties  were  resumed. 


TUPELO.  357 

The  young  men  have  donned  their  hunting  ap- 
parel and  hied  away  to  the  forest,  where  the  red  deer 
wander,  and  to  the  rivers,  where  the  finny  tribes 
abound,  and  I,  whither  shall  I  go?  The  bow  that 
is  kept  continually  in  a  high  state  of  tension,  and 
the  mind  that  is  never  relaxed,  lose  elasticity  and 
become  permanently  impaired.  The  environment 
has  a  tendency  to  recall  the  duties  performed  in  it, 
which  one  wishes  wholly  to  throw  off  for  a  time, 
and  thus  the  benefits  of  recreation  are  dimin- 
ished. It  is  better,  therefore,  that  needful  rest  be 
taken  at  some  place  remote  from  the  scenes  of  labor. 
New  scenes,  new  faces,  new  employments  divert  the 
mind,  and  call  into  action  other  faculties,  and  give 
those  that  have  been  overburdened  the  desired  rest. 
With  this  end  in  view  I  prepared  to  leave  our  classic 
shades  and  hie  away  to  the  home  of  one  of  my  stu- 
dents, whose  warm  invitation  I  felt  happy  in  accept- 
ing. On  a  beautiful  morning,  just  as  the  auroral 
brightness  was  assuming  a  vermilion  hue,  sure  har- 
binger of  coming  day,  the  colored  coachman  drove  to 
my  door  and  I  was  soon  outward  bound  for  the 
home  of  Jasper  Pettigru,  whose  hospitable  residence 
I  was  never  to  reach.  The  oriole,  the  mocking-bird, 
the  paroquet  flitted  from  tree  to  tree,  and  a  great  va- 
riety of  feathered  songsters  made  the  forests  vocal 
with  their  harmony,  and  by  the  brilliancy  of  their 
plumage  encircled  our  pathway  with  a  halo  of  glory. 
One  could  readily  imagine  himself  in  the  enchanted 
land.  The  balmy  air,  the  fragrant  flowers,  the  sil- 


358  TUPELO. 

very,  sparkling  waters,  the  odor-laden  breeze,  all 
contributed  to  the  highest  happiness,  the  most  ec- 
static delight  of  the  votaries  of  pleasure — a  crowd  of 
whom  were  with  me  in  the  diligence.  But  ever  and 
anon  there  came  borne  upon  the  unwilling  breeze 
an  agonizing  sigh,  proceeding  from  the  inmost  re- 
cesses of  a  bleeding,  broken  heart — a  heart  crushed 
by  some  sorrow  too  great  to  be  sustained  long  and 
the  victim  live.  I  thought  perhaps  it  is  a  fugitive 
slave  on  the  top  of  the  diligence  who  is  being  re- 
turned to  his  master. .  When  we  arrived  at  Daphne, 
Ala.,  where  I  intended  lodging  for  the  night  with  an 
old  friend,  Joe  Poindexter,  an  officer  got  out  of  the 
diligence,  ordered  a  carriage  from  the  livery  stable, 
and  obtaining  assistance,  took  a  white  man  from  the 
top  of  the  stage  and  placed  him  on  the  rear  seat  of 
the  carriage.  He  said  this  was  a  state  prisoner  whom 
he  was  conveying  into  the  presence  of  Col.  Bonham, 
at  Teusas,  to  be  dealt  with  as  he  was  accustomed  to 
deal  with  all  tories.  As  my  friend  lived  near  Ten- 
sas,  I  mentioned  this  fact  to  this  man,  whose  name  was 
Major  Samuel  Rodney.  Major  Rodney  said  he  would 
be  glad  to  have  me  go  with  him  for  company.  I 
at  once  accepted  the  proffered  favor,  having  a  desire 
to  assist,  if  possible,  this  suffering  Unionist.  When 
within  two  miles  of  Tensas  we  came  to  the  residence 
of  a  gentleman,  a  friend  of  Major  Rodney,  Co], 
Wardlaw  by  name  (if  my  memory  is  correct).  A 
dance  was  in  progress  at  his  house,  and  he  insisted 
upon  Major  Rodney's  attending  the  dance.  The 


TUPELO. 

major  said  this  d — d  tory  must  be  delivered  to- 
night to  Col.  Bonham.  "Can't  your  friend  take 
him  in?"  replied  the  colonel.  "Yes,  or  I  can  drive 
in  and  return/' said  the  major.  "You'd  miss  oceans 
of  fun  if  you  were  to  do  that.  Just  send  him  in  and 
let  your  friend  put  the  team  in  the  livery  stable  at 
Tensas.  I'll  send  for  it  in  the  morning."  I  cor- 
dially assented  to  this  arrangement. 

After  driving  a  few  hundred  yards  I  asked  my 
prisoner  to  give  me  his  story.  He  replied  that  his 
name  was  Isaac  Simpson,  that  he  was  a  Unionist, 
and  supposed  that  this  would  be  the  last  night  of  his 
life,  as  Col.  Bonham  spared  the  lives  of  no  Unionists* 
and  that  he  would  not  recant  his  opinions  to  save  his 
life.  I  replied,  "  I,  too,  am  a  Unionist."  "  Glory 
to  God,"  said  the  prisoner,  "  then  there  is  yet  hope 
for  me."  "  Yes,  we  will  survive  or  perish  together." 
Col.  Rodney  had  given  me  the  key  of  the  prisoner's 
manacles.  I  had  no  difficulty  in  liberating  him. 
There  was  no  road  by  which  to  turn  off,  so  we  were 
compelled  to  go  into  Tensas,  then  bear  north,  and 
trust  in  God  for  divine  guidance.  We  drove  rapidly, 
and  were  far,  very  far  from  Tensas  by  daylight.  Near 
Shongalo,  Smith  Co.,  Miss.,  we  sold  our  horses  and 
carriage  to  a  planter  for  $500,  Confederate  money. 
At  Tougaloo,  Hinds  Co.,  we  bought  suits  of  clothes 
in  order  to  conceal  our  identity.  At  Brandon,  Miss., 
we  bought  tickets  for  Grand  Junction,  Tenn.,  and 
without  any  further  special  adventures  reached  Cairo, 
111.,  where  we  both  enlisted  in  the  Federal  service. 


360  TUPELO. 

At  Brandon  I  bought  a  newspaper  which  gave  a  de- 
scription of  us,  and  offered  a  large  reward  for  our 
capture. 

Prof.  Simpson  has  never  yet  been  able  to  corres- 
pond with  his  family,  nor  has  he  heard  what  may 
have  befallen  them  since  his  arrest ;  nor  have  I  been 
able  to  visit  my  student  friend  for  whose  hospitable 
mansion  I  started  in  what  appears,  because  of  the 
thronging  events  and  various  vicissitudes  of  the  past 
years,  to  be  the  "auld  lang  syne."  We  hope  that 
soon  the  bottom  will  fall  out  of  that  rotten  old  hulk 
— the  Southern  Confederacy. 

•     Please  write  to  me  at  your  very  earliest  conven- 
ience and  tell  me  all  about  yourself. 

Your  affectionate  brother, 

FRANKLIN  BREVOORT. 

The  song  of  war  shall  echo  through  the  mountains 

Till  not  one  hateful  Ijnk  remains 

Of  slavery's  lingering  chains, 

Till  not  one  tyrant  treads  our  plains, 
Nor  traitor  lips  pollute  our  fountains. 

Princeton,  Gibson  Co.,  Indiana. 

On  April  29,  1877,  occurred  the  cold-blooded 
assassination  of  Judge  Chisholm,  of  Kemper  Co., 
Miss.,  and  the  killing  of  his  little  son  and  the  wound- 
ing of  his  brave  young  daughter,  aged  eighteen,  who 
died  of  her  wounds  soon  after.  This  tragedy,  and 
the  fact  that  every  physician  in  the  place  refused  to 
attend  upon  her  dying  father  and  herself,  reveal  the 


TUPELO.  361 

state  of  terrorism  which  prevailed  under  the  reign  of 
the  "  AVhite  League"  in  the  South. 

An  armed  baud  of  two  hundred  chivalrous  white 
men  attacked  this  family,  and  after  the  brave  young 
girl  had,  with  her  right  arm,  parried  the  guns  of  sev- 
eral of  those  defenders  of  their  rights,  which  were 
placed  almost  against  her  father's  breast,  while  with 
the  other  arm  around  her  wounded  father's  neck,  she 
received  a  wound  which  shattered  her  right  hand  and 
was  six  times  wounded  in  one  of  her  legs.  Her 
father  at  last  fell,  pierced  by  eleven  balls.  He  still 
lived,  and  this  heroic  girl,  though  fatally  wounded 
herself,  assisted  her  dying  father  to  their  home,  a 
distance  of  over  one  hundred  yards.  Her  younger 
brother  of  thirteen  years  of  age  was  shot  dead  while 
clinging  to  his  father.  Gov.  Stone,  of  Mississippi, 
refused  to  send  aid  and  protection  to  this  distressed 
family.  The  great  crime  of  which  Judge  Chisholm 
was  guilty  was  his  staunch  adherence  to  the  govern- 
ment, and  his  attempt  to  enforce  the  laws  as  sheriff 
of  the  county. 

Near  this,  Rev.  James  Pelan,  my  dear  friend  and 
co-presbyter,  was  murdered  because  of  his  avowed 
Union  sentiments,  though  he  was  a  non-combatant, 
and  only  desired  to  live  in  quietness  and  retirement 
till  the  contest  was  decided.  "We  were  both  members 
of  the  Presbyter/  of  Tombeckbee.  I  was  by  far 
less  discreet  than  my  friend  Pelan.  I  could  not  con- 
ceal my  sentiments  by  a  judicious  reticence  when  in 
the  presence  of  avowed  secessionists.  My  friend 


362  TUPELO. 

Pelan  warned  me  again  and  again  against  rashness 
and  ill-timed  expression  of  opinions  which  would  be 
sure  to  bring  down  upon  my  devoted  head  the  mur- 
derous wrath  of  the  devotees  of  treason.  I  still  live, 
but  my  dear  friend  Pelan  died  a  martyr  to  the  truth, 
at  the  hands  of  those  atrociously  cruel  men. 

When  the  southern  people  hate  it  is  with  great  in- 
tensity ;  if  they  love  their  love  is  intense.  In  the 
war  times  the  secessionists  would  destroy  Unionists 
as  they  would  vipers  or  rattlesnakes  or  water  moc- 
casins or  cotton-mouths.  They  had  no  spark  of 
sympathy  or  compassion  for  them.  They  loved  their 
friends,  and  would  promote  their  interests  in  every 
possible  way.  They  took  delight  in  serving  their 
friends,  and  I  personally  owe  them  a  debt  of  grat- 
itude for  much  kindness  shown  me  by  the  southern 
people  during  my  sojourn  among  them  in  the  ante 
bellum  days.  Any  favor  I  desired  was  accorded 
gladly.  I  never  found  them  deceitful.  If  they  man- 
ifested friendship  it  was  genuine,  if  they  did  not  like 
any  one  they  made  no  pretence  of  friendship.  I 
found  them  generous  and  truthful.  A  minister  in 
traveling  always  went  directly  to  a  brother  minister's 
house,  and  invariably  met  a  glad  welcome  and  mu- 
nificent entertainment.  I  knew  of  one  exception. 
The  llev.  Mr.  Bland,  of  Memphis  Presbytery,  visited 
the  city  of  Memphis,  accompanied  by  his  wife. 
They  went  directly  to  the  residence  of  the  pastor  of 
the  1st  Presbyterian  church  of  that  city.  They  were 
received  in  the  parlor.  It  was  cold  weather  and 


TUPELO.  363 

there  was  no  fire  in  the  parlor.  After  remaining 
awhile,  and  receiving  no  invitation  to  stay,  they  left, 
quite  indignant  at  their  uncivil  treatment.  At  the 
next  session  of  presbytery  the  attention  of  presbytery 
was  called  to  this  incivility.  The  minister  guilty  of 
this  breach  of  the  rules  of  hospitality  prevailing  in 
the  South  found  it  necessary  to  make  a  humble  apol- 
ogy for  his  rudeness.  He,  however,  never  regained 
the  confidence  of  his  brethren,  and  ere  long  found  it 
necessary  to  seek  another  and  distant  field  of  labor. 

Mr.  Woollcy  wished  to  borrow  money  from  a  Mr. 
Goodloe.  Mr.  John  H.  Brown,  at  the  request  of 
Mr.  AVoolley,  agreed  to  become  his  security.  Upon 
reflection,  Mr.  Brown  changed  his  opinion  in  regard 
to  becoming  surety  for  Mr.  Woolley,  and  instead  of 
going  to  Mr.  Woolley  and  informing  him  that  he 
had  reconsidered  the  matter  and  had  reversed  his 
decision,  he  went  to  Mr.  Goodloe  and  said  to  him, 
"AYhen  Mr.  Woolley  comes  to  you  and  asks  to  bor- 
row money,  I  wish  you  would  tell  him  that  you 
have  no  money  to  lend."  Mr.  Goodloe  replied,  "  I 
have  the  money  to  lend,  and,  sir,  if  a  d — d  lie  has 
to  be  told  you  must  tell  it  yourself."  This  affair 
becoming  known,  Mr.  Brown  lost  caste  at  once  in  the 
community. 

I  knew  of  four  grave  elders  in  a  northern  church 
who  wished  to  accomplish  a  certain  purpose  which 
they  knew  could  only  be  attained  by  clandestine 
means.  They  held  a  private  meeting,  and  after  a 
full  discussion  of  the  matter,  agreed  upon  a  false 


364  TUPELO. 

statement,  to  the  principle  underlying  which  at  least 
two  of  their  number  were  sentimentally  opposed. 

At  the  next  regular  meeting  of  session,  the  one 
designated  as  spokesman,  in  solemn  tones  and  with  a 
sanctimonious  air,  made  the  statement  agreed  upon. 
Upon  the  presumption  of  the  truth  of  the  statement 
but  one  result  could  follow,  and  they  secured  the  end 
desired.  Upon  the  discovery  of  the  falsehood,  one 
of  its  perpetrators  called  upon  the  minister  and  said 
he  hoped  that  he  would  not  take  offense  at  what  they 
had  done,  as  they  had,  at  a  private  meeting,  decided 
that  the  course  they  had  pursued  was  the  best  to  be 
taken  under  the  circumstances.  The  minister  re- 
plied that  they  should  have  told  the  truth  and  have 
given  the  real  reasons  which  had  led  them  to  desire 
the  end  they  had  secured  by  falsehood. 

"Yes,"  he  replied,  "it  would  have  been  better. 
I  was  opposed  to  the  principle  upon  which  the  state- 
ment was  based.  Yes,  it  would  have  been  better  to 
have  told  the  truth." 

"  Certainly  it  would,  for  you  have  led  your  minis- 
ter to  make  unwittingly  a  false  statement  to  the  other 
congregation  in  his  pastoral  charge,  which,  to  estab- 
lish his  own  veracity,  he  must  publicly  correct,  and 
must  give  his  reasons  for  having  been  misled.  This 
will  necessarily  criminate  you,  and  expose  your  du- 
plicity. It  was  a  sin  of  no  small  magnitude  to 
fabricate  a  falsehood,  and,  in  your  official  capacity  as 
office-bearers  in  the  church  of  Jesus  Christ,  deliber- 
ately, and  in  accordance  with  your  preconcerted 


TUPELO.  365 

scheme  announce  it  as  the  truth  in  order  to  accom- 
plish an  end  really  beyond  the  realm  of  your v  juris- 
diction, and  thus  determine  a  matter  by  no  means 
within  your  province  to  decide.  It  would  have  been 
the  part  of  true  wisdom,  even  after  you  had  taken 
your  seats  as  members  of  session,  to  have  followed 
the  dictates  of  an  enlightened  conscience,  and  the 
teachings  of  God's  word,  and  to  have  uttered  nothing 
but  truth,  though  with  the  certainty  of  failure  to 
accomplish  your  wicked  and  unhallowed  purpose. 
The  end,  even  though  right,  which  it  was  not  in  this 
case,  does  not  justify  the  use  of  such  base,  craven, 
cowardly  means." 

This  probably  could  not  have  occurred  in  the 
South.  Lying  is  not  one  of  their  vices.  It  is  re- 
garded as  the  act  of  a  coward,  who  has  not  the  prin- 
ciples of  a  brave  and  true  man.  Their  sins  are  open 
before  going  to  judgment.  This  probably  could  not 
occur  again  in  the  North.  It  was  probably  an 
anomalous  case,  without  precedent  or  parallel.  Four 
church  officers,  who  have  been  elected  as  overseers  of 
their  brethren  in  spiritual  things,  conspiring  together 
to  fabricate  a  falsehood  and  to  palm  it  off  upon  their 
unsuspecting  minister  as  truth,  is  doubtless  an  act  un- 
paralleled in  and  unknown  to  the  annals  of  any  other 
church  North  or  South. 

It  might  be  well  to  state  that  the  spokesman, 
and  probably  the  chief  fabricator  of  the  false  state- 
ment, was  neither  born  nor  bred  in  America,  nor  was 
he  brought  up  within  the  pale  of  the  Presbyterian 
church. 


36(3  TUPELO. 

A  custom  which  physicians  tell  me  is  as  old  as  the 
medical  profession  universally  prevails  both  North 
and  South.  Physicians  are  debarred  by  this  custom, 
which  is  of  as  strongly  binding  force  as  if  it  were  a 
statutory  enactment,  from  making  any  charge  for 
medical  services  rendered  to  ministers  of  all  denomi- 
nations and  their  families,  or  to  members  of  their 
own  profession.  Physicians  inform  me  that  they  have 
never  known  this  custom  to  be  violated  by  any  mem- 
ber of  the  medical  fraternity  who  is  in  good  and 
regular  standing  in  his  profession,  and  that  were  any 
physician  to  violate  this  custom,  suspicion  would 
attach  to  him  at  once. 

When  I  speak  of  the  Southern  people  as  truthful 
prior  to  the  war,  I  affirm  that  this  is  still  a  trait  of 
their  character,  with  this  exception,  they  will  defraud 
the  "negroes  and  scalawags"  of  a  free  ballot  and  fail- 
count  by  fraud,  violence,  and  perjury.  They  do  not 
attempt  to  conceal  their  conduct  in  this  respect,  de- 
claring it  to  be  a  political  necessity  for  the  preserva- 
tion of  white  supremacy.  This  they  are  determined 
to  enforce  in  the  church,  the  school,  and  the  state, 
peaceably  if  they  can,  forcibly  if  they  must. 

During  the  war  southern  Unionists,  to  avoid  per- 
secution, would  conceal  their  sentiments,  sometimes 
deeming  it  necessary  to  resort  to  deception  in  speech 
and  conduct  to  avoid  imprisonment  and  death. 
Guerrillas,  Jeff  Davis'  "partisan  warriors,"  when 
arrested  by  Federal  troops,  would  resort  to  every 
kind  of  subterfuge  and  deception  to  escape  the 


TUPELO.  367 

penalty  due  their  crimes.  The  course  of  Unionist 
and  secessionist  was  very  much  like  that  of  the 
English  during  the  wars  of  the  roses,  as  indi- 
cated by  a  toast  which  used  to  be  drank  in  those 
days : 

"  God  bless  the  faith,  God  bless  the  faith's  defender, 
God  bless,  no  harm  in  blessing  the  pretender, 
But  which  pretender,  or  \vhich  king, 
God  bless  us  all,  that's  quite  a  different  thing." 

Gen  L.  Q.  C.  Lamar,  of  the  rebel  army,  once  said 
to  me,  "  The  ten  commandments  are  suspended  dur- 
ing the  prevalence  of  war."  This  seemed  to  be  a 
true  statement ;  at  all  events  the  Southern  Confederacy 
ignored  them  all  during  its  whole  wicked  existence. 
"  Inter  arma  leges  silent "  was  its  motto  and  practice, 
both  in  regard  to  Divine  and  human  laws,  till  God 
in^his  providence  and  wrath  blotted  out  its  name  as  a 
nation  from  under  heaven — a  justly  merited  doom. 

The  heroism  of  the  loyal  women  of  the  South,  in 
their  patient,  uncomplaining  endurance  of  persecu- 
tion, often  unto  death,  is  deserving  of  lasting  remem- 
brance. They  concealed  their  husbands,  sons, 
brothers,  and  lovers  from  the  rage  and  malice  of  the 
secessionists,  in  swamps,  caverns,  and  mountain  fast- 
nesses, and  at  the  risk  of  life  carried  them  provisions 
while  in  hiding.  They  toiled  with  their  own  hands 
in  the  field  to  procure  a  support  for  themselves  and 
those  dependent  upon  them.  Many  sleepless  vigils 
were  endured  by  them  while  they  and  those  dear  to 
them  were  every  hour  environed  by  fearful  peril. 


368  TUPELO. 

They  possessed  intense  convictions.  They  were 
women  of  faith  and  prayer,  and  they  abounded  in 
good  works.  The  remembrances  of  those  righteous, 
holy,  and  loyal  women  is  blessed. 

O,  woman,  great  is  thy  faith. — Jesus  Christ. 

A  good  woman  is  the  loveliest  flower  that  blooms  under 
heaven.  — Thackeray. 

Ah  !  me,  beyond  all  power  to  name,  those  worthies  tried  and 

true, 
Brave  men,  fair  women,  youth  and  maid  pass  by  in  grand 

review. — Whittier. 

Not  she  with  traitorous  kiss  her  Saviour  stung, 
Not  she  denied  him  with  unholy  tongue, 
She,  while  apostles  shrank,  could  danger  brave, 
Last  at  the  cross  and  earliest  at  the  grave. 

Eead  the  fresh  annals  of  our  land :  the  gathering  dust  of  time 
Not  yet  has  fallen  on  the  scroll  to  dim  the  tale  sublime  ; 
There  woman's  glory  proudly  shines,  for  willingly  she  gave 
Her  costliest  oiferings  to  uphold  the  generous  and  the  brave 
Who  fought  her  country's  battles  well ;  and  oft  she  periled 

life 

To  save  a  father,  brother,  friend,  in  those  dark  years  of  strife. 
Whatever  strong-armed  man  hath  wrought,  whatever  he  hath 

won, 
That  goal  hath  woman  also  reached,  that  action  hath  she  done. 

Ashley,  Luzerne  Co.,  Pa. 


TUPELO.  369 

THE  NORTH  AND  SOUTH  CONTRASTED. 

In  the  year  of  our  Lord,  1 856,  I  listened  to  an 
address  pronounced  by  Col.  Jefferson  Davis,  in  Holly 
Springs,  Mississippi,  in  which  he  strongly  and  un- 
equivocally avowed  secession  sentiments,  and  urged  his 
auditors  to  make  due  preparation  for  it,  as  it  was  an 
event  greatly  to  be  desired  and  would  be  an  accom- 
plished fact  in  the  near  future,  as  .sure  as  fate.  He 
thus  spoke: 

"  The  people  of  the  North  and  South  are  not  hom- 
ogeneous and  thev  never  have  been.  From  the  first 

•f 

the  Union  was  an  alliance  between  two  peoples  as 
diverse  in  habits,  manners  and  customs,  and  modes  of 
thought  as  in  their  climates  and  productions.  The 
South  has  always  been  restive  under  this  bond. 
There  are  strong  contrasts  between  the  character- 
istics and  idiosyncrasies  of  the  people  of  each  section. 
These  existed  in  the  mother  country.  The  chivalric 
Norman  Cavaliers  settled  the  South.  The  Puritans 
of  Saxon  origin,  exiled  and  poverty  stricken,  settled 
on  the  cold,  rugged,  bleak,  and  inhospitable  shores  of 
New  England.  When  I  contemplate  the  hostility 
of  their  descendants  to  our  peculiar,  patriarchal,  popu- 
lar, and  truly  beneficent  institution — an  institution  so 
essential  to  southern  prosperity,  and  the  conservation 
and  development  of  a  high  type  of  civilization,  I  can 
look  with  great  leniency  upon  the  persecution  and 
banishment  by  our  ancestors  of  a  people  so  super- 
stitious, hypocritical,  inappreciative,  meddlesome,  and 
24 


370  TUPELO. 

refractory.  They  brought  the  same  spirit  with  them 
to  the  new  world.  They  envy  us  our  superior  civil- 
ization and  many  advantages.  The  Norman  and  the 
Saxon  can  never  coalesce.  They  can  never  live  un- 
der the  same  government  on  terms  of  equality.  The 
Norman,  by  his  ancestral  traditions,  by  his  intellect- 
ual superiority  and  restless  ambition,  aspires  to  bear 
rule  and  hold  the  reins  of  government.  And  this 
consummation  of  his  hopes  and  aims  he  eventually 
secures.  All  history  proves  this.  The  Cavaliers 
have  always  been  the  rulers.  The  Puritans  the 
ruled.  There  is  no  common  bond  of  sympathy,  no 
affinity  by  which  to  cement  the  heterogeneous  ele- 
ments into  homogeneity.  Slavery  gives  us  superiority 
so  patent  that  the  world  readily  recognizes  it.  "When 
our  citizens  travel  abroad  they  are  accorded  honors 
never  bestowed  upon  Yankee  travelers.  Labor  to 
wring  by  the  sweat  of  the  face  a  bare  subsistence  out 
of  a  barren  glebe,  leaves  upon  the  features  the  in- 
effaceable marks  of  their  plebeian  condition  and  origin. 
I  have  seen  them  abroad  aping  the  manners  of  the 
refined  end  cultured  Southron,  and  northern  mud- 
sills is  the  whispered  comment  of  the  courtly  Euro- 
pean, who  cannot  be  deceived  by  the  exhibition  of  the 
stolen  livery.  The  ass's  ears  protrude  from  the 
lion's  skin. 

"  They  threaten  war  if  we  secede.  We  would  have 
secession,  peaceably  if  we  can,  forcibly  if  we  must. 
If  they  force  war  upon  us  because  we  spurn  with 
contempt  governmental  association  with  them,  let 


TUPELO.  371 

them  come.  AVe  will  welcome  them  with  bloody 
hands  to  hospitable  graves.  There  is,  however,  no 
necessity  for  any  fear  that  the  Yankees  will  attempt 
to  retain  us  by  force  in  a  Union  which  we  will  sever 
whatever  may  be  the  consequences.  I  will  volunteer 
to  shed  all  the  blood  from  my  own  veins  that  will 
be  necessary  to  be  shed  because  of  the  secession  of 
Mississippi  from  the  Union.  We  have  submitted 
too  long  to  Yankee  insolence  and  domination.  I 
long  to  enjoy  the  sweets  of  liberty,  and  to  see  my 
fellow-citizens  of  Mississippi  in  the  enjoyment  of 
them.  I  was  educated  in  the  North  and  I  regard  it 
as  the  greatest  misfortune  of  my  life.  I  fear  that 
during  my  sojourn  there  I  adopted  insensibly  some 
of  their  brusque  manners  and  imbibed  some  of 
the  modes  of  thought  of  an  inferior  people.  I  think, 
however,  I  have  gotten  quit  of  them,  but  it  required 
extraordinary  and  persistent  effort  to  do  so.  I  would 
advise  our  people  to  patronize  no  longer  teachers  and 
ministers  from  the  North.  They  insidiously  instill 
sentiments  hostile  to  southern  interests.  Their  stu- 
dents and  parishioners  are  in  peril  so  long  as  they  are 
under  the  mental  and  moral  instruction  of  men  born 
and  bred  in  the  abolition  states.  Our  slave-holding 
population  not  subject  to  the  necessity  of  manual  labor 
have  all  their  time  to  devote  to  literary  pursuits,  to  the 
rites  of  hospitality,  and  to  social  and  convivial  pleasures 
and  recreations.  This  is  impossible  among  a  people 
toiling  for  a  livelihood,  their  minds  engrossed  with 
the  problems  connected  with  the  daily  supply  of  their 


372  TUPELO. 

physical  necessities,  taking  thought  in  regard  to  what 
they  shall  eat,  what  they  shall  drink,  and  wherewithal 
they  shall  be  clothed.  Physical  drudgery  is  their  pre- 
destined lot,  and  concomitant  mental  anxiety  attending 
it  precludes  the  possibility  of  a  high  degree  of  culture 
and  refinement.  The  otium  cum  dignitate  is  found  alone 
in  southern  society.  Slavery  removes  us  far  from 
the  untoward  condition  that  militates  against  ad- 
vanced thought. 

"  The  slave,  the  serf,  the  peasant,  the  mudsills  of 
society,  will  always  exist  to  toil  and  perform  neces- 
sary physical  drudgery.  Providence  has  so  ordained 
it,  and  has  so  constituted  society.  There  are  the 
ruler  and  the  ruled,  the  noble  and  the  peasant,  the 
slave  and  his  master,  the  employe"  and  the  employer. 
Those  who  toil  and  moil,  and  those  who  enjoy  the 
fruit  of  their  labor.  And  we  do  not  wish  to  rebel  at 
the  allotments  of  Divine  Providence.  Providence 
has  been  kind  to  us,  and  we  must  not  surrender  our 
birthright.  Cotton  is  king,  and  we  must  see  to  it 
that  he  is  not  dethroned.  We  can  rule  the  North 
better  out  of  the  Union  than  in  it.  New  England 
avarice  will  bow  the  supple  knee  to  our  king.  They 
must  have  cotton.  Subvert  their  manufacturing  in- 
terests and  they  perish.  They  will  perforce  become 
tributary  to  us,  and  it  will  be  a  happy  sight  to  be- 
hold the  Yankee  cringing  at  our  feet,  supplicating  us 
for  permission  to  live — his  insolence  all  gone,  his 
moral  ideas  radically  changed,  and  his  hostility  to 
slavery  merged  into  professed  love  for  our  peculiar 


TUPELO.  373 

institution.  I  am  not  a  prophet,  nor  a  prophet's  son, 
but  I  will  venture  the  prediction  that  another  decade 
will  not  pass  until  all  these  things  will  be  fulfilled. 
Heaven  speed  the  day  of  their  complete  consumma- 
tion. Coming  events  cast  their  shadows  before." 

Pollard,  the  historian  of  The  Lost  Cause,  thus 
speaks  of  an  address  of  President  Davis  upon  there- 
turn  of  the  peace  commissioners,  Hunter,  Campbell, 
and  Stevens :  "  He  made  a  powerful  and  eloquent 
address,  but  in  parts  of  it  he  fell  into  weak  and  bom- 
bastic speech,  and  betrayed  that  boastful  characteris- 
tic of  almost  all  his  oral  utterances  in  the  war.  As 
a  writer,  Mr.  Davis  is  careful,  meditative,  and  full  of 
dignity ;  but  as  a  speaker  he  is  imprudent,  and  in 
moments  of  passion  he  frequently  blurts  out  what 
first  comes  into  his  mind.  On  this  occasion  he  was 
boastful,  almost  to  the  point  of  grotcsqueness.  He 
declared  that  the  march  which  Sherman  was  then 
making  would  be  his  last,  and  would  conduct  him  to 
ruin.  He  predicted  that  before  the  summer  solstice 
fell  upon  the  country  it  would  be  the  Korth  that 
would  be  soliciting  peace.  He  affirmed  that  the 
military  situation  of  the  Confederacy  was  all  that  he 
could  desire,  and  drawing  up  his  figure,  and  in  tones 
of  scornful  defiance  heard  to  the  remotest  parts  of  the 
building,  he  remarked  that  the  Federal  authorities 
who  had  so  complacently  conferred  with  the  com- 
missioners of  the  Confederacy  little  knew  that  they 
were  talking  to  their  masters." 

O 

A  quotation  from  the  same  history  will  be  perti- 


374  TUPELO. 

nent:  "  Slavery  is  the  most  prominent  cause  of  dis- 
tinction between  the  civilizations  or  social  autonomies 
of  North  and  South.  In  the  ante-revolutionary 
period  the  differences  between  the  populations  of  the 
northern  and  southern  colonies  had  already  been 
strongly  marked.  The  early  colonists  did  not  bear 
with  them,  from  the  mother  country  to  the  shores  of 
the  New  World,  any  greater  degree  of  congeniality 
than  existed  among  them  at  home.  They  had  come, 
not  only  from  different  stocks  of  population,  but 
from  different  feuds,  in  religion  and  politics.  There 
could  be  no  congeniality  between  the  Puritan  exiles 
who  established  themselves  upon  the  cold,  rugged, 
and  cheerless  soil  of  New  England,  and  the  Cavaliers 
who  sought  the  brighter  climate  of  the  South,  and 
drank  in  their  baronial  halls  in  Virginia  confusion 
to  round-heads  and  regicides.  The  intolerance  of  the 
Puritan,  the  painful  thrift  of  the  northern  colonists, 
their  external  forms  of  piety,  their  lack  of  the  seuti- 
mentalism  which  makes  up  the  half  of  modern  civili- 
zation, are  traits  of  character  visible  in  their  descend- 
ants. On  the  other  hand,  the  colonists  of  Virginia 
and  the  Carolinas  were  from  the  first  distinguished 
for  their  polite  manners,  their  fine  sentiments,  their 
attachment  to  a  sort  of  feudal  life,  their  landed  gen- 
try, their  love  of  field  sports  and  dangerous  adventure, 
and  the  prodigal  and  improvident  aristocracy  that 
dispensed  its  stores  in  constant  rounds  of  hospitality 
and  gaiety.  Slavery  established  in  the  South  a  pecu- 
liar and  noble  type  of  civilization.  It  was  not  with- 


TUPELO.  375 

out  attendant  vices,  but  the  virtues  which  followed 
in  its  train  were  numerous  and  peculiar,  and  asserted 
the  general  good  effect  of  the  institution  on  the  ideas 
and  manners  of  the  South.  If  habits  of  command 
sometimes  degenerated  into  cruelty  and  insolence,  yet 
in  numerous  instances  they  inculcated  notions  of 
chivalry,  polished  the  manners,  and  produced  many 
noble  and  generous  virtues.  If  the  relief  of  a  large 
class  of  whites  from  the  demands  of  physical  labor 
gave  occasion  in  some  instances  for  idle  and  dissolute 
lives,  yet  at  the  same  time  it  afforded  opportunity  for 
extraordinary  culture,  elevated  the  standards  of 
scholarship  in  the  South,  enlarged  and  emancipated 
social  intercourse,  and  established  schools  of  individ- 
ual refinement.  The  South  had  an  element  in  its 
society — a  landed  gentry — which  the  North  envied, 
and  for  which  its  substitute  was  a  coarse,  ostentatious 
aristocracy,  that  smelt  of  the  trade,  and  that,  however 
it  cleansed  itself  and  aped  the  elegance  of  the  South, 
could  never  entirely  subdue  a  sneaking  sense  of  its 
own  inferiority.  The  civilization  of  the  North  was 
coarse  and  materialistic.  That  of  the  South  was 
scant  of  shows,  but  highly  refined  and  sentimental. 
The  South  was  a  vast  agricultural  country,  waste 
lands,  forest,  and  swamps  often  gave  to  the  eye  a 
dreary  picture;  there  were  no  thick  and  intricate 
nets  of  internal  improvement  to  astonish  and  bewil- 
der the  traveler,  no  country  picturesque  with  towns 
and  villages  to  please  his  vision.  Northern  men 
ridiculed  the  apparent  scantiness  of  the  South,  and 


376  TUPELO. 

took  it  as  an  evidence  of  inferiority.  But  this  was 
the  coarse  judgment  of  the  surface  of  things.  The 
agricultural  pursuits  of  the  South  fixed  its  features, 
and  however  it  might  decline  in  the  scale  of  gross 
prosperity,  its  people  were  trained  in  the  highest 
civilization,  were  models  of  manners  for  the  whole 
country,  rivaled  the  sentimentalism  of  the  oldest 
countries  of  Europe,  established  the  only  schools  of 
honor  in  America,  and  presented  a  striking  contrast 
in  their  well-balanced  character  to  the  conceit  and 
giddiness  of  the  Northern  people.  There  is  a  singu- 
larly bitter  hate  which  is  inseparable  from  a  sense  of 
inferiority,  and  every  close  observer  of  northern  soci- 
ety has  discovered  how  there  lurked  in  every  form  of 
hostility  to  the  South,  the  conviction  that  the  north- 
ern man,  however  disguised  with  ostentation,  was 
coarse  and  inferior  in  comparison  with  the  aristocracy 
and  chivalry  of  the  South." 

Pollard  states,  at  the  close  of  his  history,  that  "the 
Confederates  have  gone  out  of  the  war  with  the  con- 
sciousness that  they  were  the  better  men" 

Pollard  also  states  that  the  people  of  the  South 
were  reduced  to  terrible  straits  during  the  Avar.  He 
thinks  the  lowest  degree  of  humiliation  was  reached 
when  delicate  and  refined  ladies  were  compelled  to 
perform  the  drudgery  of  cooking  for  themselves  and 
their  children  to  avoid  starvation.  The  whole  tenor 
of  southern  teaching  led  to  the  prevalent  belief  that 
manual  or  mental  labor  for  pecuniary  remuneration 
was  degrading.  The  degradation  of  labor  was 


TUPELO.  377 

dreaded  by  all  classes  and  conditions  of  the  whites. 
The  colored  people  were  driven  to  it  by  the  lash. 

Manual  labor  was  associated  in  the  southern  mind 
with  slavery.  In  the  eleven  seceded  states  forming 
the  Southern  Confederacy  there  were  but  two  hun- 
dred and  fifty  thousand  slave-holders.  The  great 
majority  of  the  white  population  were  non-slave- 
holders. Social  ostracism  was  rigorously  enforced. 
The  poor  whites  were  less  esteemed  by  the  rich  than 
the  slaves.  Many  of  the  slaves  were  more  intelli- 
gent than  they.  Notably  the  house  servants,  who, 
by  their  intimate  association  with  their  masters'  fami- 
lies, had  gained  a  surprising  amount  of  general  infor- 
mation. Many  of  them  were  mulattoes,  quadroons, 
and  octoroons.  They  entertained  a  very  low  estimate 
of  the  poor  white,  regarding  him  as  much  lower  in 
the  scale  of  intelligence  than  themselves.  The 
cracker  and  the  saudhiller  were  the  objects  of  their 
derision.  They  scorned  association  with  them,  and 
often  spoke  of  them  and  treated  them  with  scorn  and 
contempt.  A  refrain  to  one  of  their  popular  songs 
is  brusque  but  expresses  the  truth : 

"  My  name's  Sam,  I  don't  care  a  d — n, 
I'd  rather  be  a  nigger  than  a  poor  white  man." 

The  cause  of  the  poverty  and  illiteracy  of  the  poor 
whites  of  the  South  is  easily  accounted  for  by  their 
history  and  disabilities.  Bancroft,  the  historian, 
thus  speaks  of  this  class : 

"A  class  of  people  dwell  in  the  southern  states 
whose  history  and  character  have  received  less  atten- 


378  TUPELO. 

tion  than  they  deserve.  These  people  have  been 
properly  called  the  poor  whites  of  the  South.  The 
original  charter  of  King  James,  extending  from 
Florida  to  the  present  northern  boundary  of  the 
United  States,  was  divided  into  two  departments, 
named  North  and  South  Virginia.  They  have  ulti- 
mately become  the  North  and  the  South.  The  South 
was  originally  colonized  by  the  Norman  clement, 
then  esteemed  the  English  aristocracy,  while  the 
North  was  chiefly  peopled  by  the  race  termed  the 
Saxon,  an  equality  and  liberty  loving  people.  The 
South  from  the  first  sought  to  maintain  high  and  low 
classes ;  the  North  equality.  At  a  certain  time  the 
English  Government  opened  its  prisons  and  poured 
forth  a  flood  of  convicts  upon  the  southern  colonies. 
At  this  period  the  aristocratic  party,  both  in  England 
and  America,  was  hostile  to  educating  the  lower 
classes. 

"Sir  William  Berkley,  an  early  governor  of  Vir- 
ginia, said,  'Every  man  instructs  his  children  accord- 
ing to  his  ability;'  a  method  which  left  the  ignorant 
in  hopeless  blindness.  The  instinct  of  aristocracy 
dreaded  the  general  diffusion  of  intelligence,  and  even 
the  enfranchising  influence  of  the  ministers.  '  The 
ministers/  continued  Sir  William,  '  should  pray 
oftener  and  preach'  less.  But  I  thank  God  there  are 
no  free  schools,  no  printing,  and  I  hope  we  shall  not 
have  them  these  hundred  years,  for  learning  has 
brought  disobedience,  heresy,  and  sects  into  the  world, 
and  printing  has  divulged  them  and  libels  against' 


TUPELO.  379 

the  best  government.  God  keep  us  from  both/ 
Bancroft's  Hist.,  Vol.  II.  The  people  of  the  South 
now  became  permanently  divided  into  an  aristocracy 
and  the  convict  race  of  poor  whites.  The  latter,  for 
the  want  of  education,  were  disqualified  to  rise,  and 
sank  deeper  and  deeper  into  wickedness  and  degrada- 
tion, lost  all  spirit  of  enterprise  and  self-respect,  and 
became  too  indolent  to  seek  fortunes  or  better  their 
condition.  In  the  east  they  habited  along  the  coasts  of 
North  and  South  Carolina,  and  near  large  rivers,  as  the 
Great  Pedee,  Yadkin,  and  Cape  Fear,  a  climate  that 
favored  their  indolence.  They  lived  on  oysters,  crabs, 
and  periwinkles,  and  had  a  strange  habit  of  eating  clay, 
hen^e  they  were  known  by  the  name  of  clay-eaters. 
A  more  substantial  subsistence,  however,  was  fur- 
nished from  half  wild  hogs  and  cattle.  The  former 
of  these  subsisted  in  the  woods  upon  roots  and  mast, 
the  latter  upon  browse  and  range.  -  To  these  may  be 
added  the  opossum,  fattened  upon  wild  grapes. 
About  the  same  time  with  the  convicts,  the  negro 
race  was  introduced  intoihis  country,  which,  from  the 
first,  was  held  to  be  more  respectable  than  the  convict 
race.  The  traveler,  passing  up  the  Pedee  on  the 
early  steamboats  which  navigated  it,  would  be  sur- 
prised to  see  at  night-fall  fires  lighted  up  along  the 
banks  and  on  the  neighboring  hills.  Upon  en- 
quiring he  would  be  told  that  these  were  the  encamp- 
ments of  the  poor  whites  for  the  sake  of  shad  fishing. 
If  he  were  a  European,  it  would  lead  him  to  think 
of  the  gypsies  of  his  native  country  ;  indeed  they  re- 


380  TUPELO. 

sernble  the  gypsies.  Their  habits  are  migratory, 
they  own  no  real  estate,  and  might,  not  inappropri- 
ately, be  called  American  gypsies.  Their  want  of 
enterprise  and  energy  has  been  mentioned.  To  this, 
however,  there  were  exceptions.  Many  picked  up 
courage  and  beat  back  to  the  mountains.  The  famous 
county  of  Buncombe  was  largely  settled  by  poor 
whites.  Some  of  these  were  descendants  of  depreda- 
tors and  murderers  who  possessed  great  energy.  The 
spirit  of  violence  continuing  in  the  veins  of  some, 
would  reappear  in  future  generations  by  the  law  of 
heredity.  Hence  from  the  notorious  Buncombe  were 
known  to  come  many  notorious  characters,  so  that 
any  violent  character  in  the  settlement  of  the  (Sosth- 
west  was  commonly  slanged  with  the  epithet  of 
"  Roarer  from  Bunkum,"  and  in  the  same  phra- 
seology, a  plucky  deed  was  denominated  "Bunkum." 
Some  of  the  most  audacious  thieves  and  bloody  high- 
waymen that  ever  infested  the  earth  emigrated  to  the 

South-west  from  the  Pedee  and  Yaclkin.     Such  were 

• 

the  Puebloes  of  East  Tennessee,  and  the  Harpes  of 
Kentucky.  The  majority  of  these  people  have  not 
the  least  tendency  to  acknowledge  God  or  recognize 
religion.  In  this  they  coincide  with  the  gypsies,  but 
profanity  uttered  in  the  most  trite  and  distasteful 
oaths  seemed  to  them  a  second  nature.  They  practice 
every  vice  and  have  but  few  virtues.  Families  of 
the  patrician  6rder,  falling  into  decay,  are  compelled 
by  force  of  circumstances  to  migrate  north  or  to  unite 
their  destiny  with  this  class.  And  many  families  of 


TUPELO.  381 

poor  but  respectable  people,  being  unable  to  educate 
their  children  because  of  the  expense  attending  it, 
and  manual  labor  being  considered  disgraceful,  grad- 
ually sink  till  they  become  blended  with  the  poor 
and  vicious  whites.  Their  aristocratic  neighbors  lend 
no  helping  hand  to  enable  them  to  avoid  this  catastro- 
phe, and  avert  a  fate  worse  than  death. 

In  the  ante  helium  days  there  was  not  a  single  free 
school  for  the  education  of  youth  in  the  seven  states 
which  afterward  seceded  and  organized  the  Southern 
Confederacy.  The  dominant  class,  the  slave-holders, 
numbered  but  a  quarter  of  a  million.  This  class  ig- 
nored the  existence  of  the  poor  whites,  except  so  far 
as  it  was  possible  to  use  them,  and  they  ruled  with 
rigor  over  the  blacks,  and  wishing  to  extend  their 
domination  they  determined  to  rule  or  ruin  the  whole 
United  States  of  America.  According  to  state  lawrs, 
it  was  a  criminal  act  to  teach  a  slave  to  read.  Al- 
though there  was  no  statutory  enactment  to  prevent 
the  children  of  the  poor  whites  from  receiving  in- 
struction, they  were  debarred  from  even  a  rudiment- 
ary education  by  their  environment.  Free  schools 
were  unknown,  the  slave-holders  controlled  the 
schools  and  rigorously  excluded  the  children  of  the 
poor.  It  seemed  an  utter  impossibility  for  a  child 
belonging  to  the  lower  class  to  secure  an  education. 
Senator  McDuffie,  of  South  Carolina,  became  the 
patron  of  a  poor  white  child,  and  gave  him  the  ben- 
efit of  the  schools.  He  learned  rapidly  and  became 
an  eminent  minister,  known  to  the  world  as  Rev. 


382  TUPELO. 

Jas.  H.  Thorn  well,  D.D.  Some  ladies  educated  a 
poor  white  boy  who  is  known  to  fame  as  Hon.  Alex- 
ander Stephens.  It  is  not  for  want  of  intellectuality, 
but  for  lack  of  opportunity  that  the  children  of  the 
poor  whites  are  ignorant.  It  seems  strange  that  Dr. 
Thornwell  and  Alexander  Stephens  should  have  be- 
come champions  of  slavery,  the  institution  guilty  of 
oppressing  beyond  measure  the  class  to  which  they 
belonged,  and  in  which  they  would  have  remained  had 
it  not  been  for  the  charity  of  individuals  whose  be- 
nevolence in  this  line  was  a  glorious  exception  to  the 
prevalent  sentiment  of  the  southern  aristocracy. 

I  was  principal  of  the  high  school  connected  with 
the  Princeton,  Ind.,  graded  schools.  A  number  of 
refugee  children  belonging  to  the  poor  white  class  of 
the  South  attended  these  schools.  They  fully  equaled 
the  other  children  in  progress  in  their  studies.  After- 
ward I  was  superintendent  of  the  Cambridge  City 
and  Leavenworth  graded  schools,  in  the  same  state, 
and  found  many  children  of  refugee  families  in  attend- 
ance. These  children  showed  no  intellectual  inferior- 
ity, but  kept  equal  pace  with  the  other  children  in 
all  their  studies.  The  masses  of  the  people  in  the 
South  were  deprived  of  every  privilege.  They  wrere 
kept  in  ignorance,  that  they  might  not  know  their 
wrongs,  and  they  were  reduced  to  and  kept  in  ex- 
treme poverty  by  every  possible  device,  that  they 
might  not  be  able  to  rise  superior  to  the  degradation 
which  their  environment  had  forced  upon  them.  To 
contemplate  this  bestial  wretchedness,  hopeless  igno- 


TUPELO.  383 

ranee,  and  forlorn  condition,  filled  with  joy  the  souls 
of  the  aristocratic  slave-holding  oligarchy — if  it  be 
conceded  that  they  were  possessed  of  souis. 

Slave-holders  were  bitterly  opposed  to  the  educa- 
tion of  the  masses,  and  used  every  possible  means  to 
prevent  their  acquiring  even  the  ability  to  read  and 
write.  They  desired  for  their  own  caste  a  monopoly 
of  wealth,  culture,  and  everything  that  rendered  life 
worth  living.  There  were  some  glorious  exceptions 
to  this  view.  Tishomingo  county,  in  the  north- 
eastern corner  of' Mississippi,  contained  many  Scotch 
and  Scotch-Irish  people.  These  people  were  anxious 
to  give  their  children  a  good  education.  There  were 
but  few  slaves  in  the  county  and  the  majority  of  the 
people  could  not  be  induced  to  favor  secession.  A 
Presbyterian  minister,  who  became  president  of 
Corona  Female  College,  located  in  Corinth,  Miss., 
strove  by  tongue  and  pen  to  rouse  the  people  of  the 
state  to  adopt  measures  looking  to  the  education  of 
the  masses.  He  delivered  an  address  before  the  leg* 
islature  at  Jackson,  urging  upon  the  legislators  the 
necessity  of  adopting  a  free  school  system  for  the 
state,  but  his  efforts  were  looked  upon  with  disfavor 
by  the  slave-holders ;  some  of  his  utterances  had  the 
true  ring  and  were  well-nigh  prophetic.  This 
divine,  Rev.  L.  B.  Gaston,  published  an  article  in  the 
Corona  Wreath,  a  monthly  periodical,  edited  by  his 
wife,  Mrs.  Susan  B.  Gaston,  which  I  will  copy.  Its 
earnest  plea  for  the  general  diffusion  of  knowledge 
among  the  people  only  rendered  Mr.  Gaston  unpop- 


384  TUPELO. 

ular,  and  failed  of  convincing  men  joined  to  their 
idol — slavery,  that  popular  education  was  desirable. 
This  article  was  published  in  the  July  number  in  the 
year  1858  : 

"  The  idea  of  universal  education  is  the  grand  cen- 
tral idea  of  the  age.  But  in  this  country  no  system, 
however  perfect,  no  enactments,  however  enlightened, 
and  no  authority,  however  constituted,  can  attain  to  the 
full  accomplishment  of  their  object,  however  praise- 
Worthy  and  laudable,  without  the  hearty  and  efficient 
co-operation  of  public  sentiment.  These  extracts  are 
taken  from  Randall's  Common  School  System  of  New 
York,  and  are  placed  at  the  head  of  our  speculations 
on  the  subject  of  education,  as  indicative  of  our  feel- 
ings and  purposes  in  adopting  it  as  a  standing  theme 
for  discussion  and  remark.  It  is  even  now  apparent 
that  the  current  century  will  be  noted  in  the  pages  of 
history  for  the  educational  progress  made  by  the  hu- 
man family,  for  the  expansion  given  to  the  idea  that 
.knowledge  is  power;  and  for  the  device  and  estab- 
lishment of  a  comprehensive  system  of  popular  in- 
struction. In  committing  to  record  its  memorable 
events,  it  will  be  the  future  historian's  task  to  trace 
the  rise  of  national  dominion  and  grandeur  to  the 
introduction  of  schools  for  the  instruction  of  the 
masses,  and  to  contrast  the  conditions  of  those  states 
and  kingdoms  that  adopted  or  rejected  the  policy. 
With  almost  prophetic  pen  we  can  predict  the  attain- 
ment of  empire  to  the  little  kingdom  of  Prussia, 
simply  from  a  consideration  of  the  vast  moral  and 


TUPELO.  385 

intellectual  power  that  is  now  growing  up  through 
the  medium  of  her  common  school  system,  which 
was  perfected  in  1819.  As  the  past  history  of  the 
world  furnishes  no  parallel  to  such  a  case — a  people 
universally  educated  in  the  best  literature,  science,  art, 
and  religion  that  time  has  ever  produced — we  know 
not  how  to  estimate  the  force,  or  calculate  the  action 
of  her  powrer ;  but  this  generation  will  not  pass  away 
before  the 'national  policy  of  Prussia  will  tell  upon 
the  destinies  of  Europe.  AVe  have  the  light  of  all 
past  ages  to  show  that  a  people  trained  or  educated 
to  be  of  one  mind  and  feeling  are  irresistible  to  all 
surrounding  nations  not  so  taught  or  disciplined. 
Numbers  in  this  comparison  are  of  minor  conse- 
quence. Mind  has  always  governed  matter,  or  mere 
brute  force,  and  so  it  ever  will  govern.  Regarding 
this  as  the  order  of  nature,  and  looking  to  the  condi- 
tion and  prospects  of  our  own  country,  our  feelings 
are  profoundly  stirred  with  mingled  emotion.  In 
one  portion  of  it  we  find  that  education  is  fully 
appreciated,  and  the  means  of  dispensing  it  to  all  arc 
judiciously  applied.  The  Xorthhas  always  been  dis- 
tinguished for  its  attention  to  this  great  social  inter- 
est, but  within  the  last  thirty  years  it  has  made 
advances  that  seem  to  border  on  perfection.  By 
means  of  public  meetings,  addresses,  and  lectures, 
teachers'  associations  and  institutes,  governors'  mes- 
sages and  superintendents'  reports,  the  public  mind 
has  become  thoroughly  imbued  with  the  spirit  of 
education.  The  cities,  towns,  and  populated  country 
25 


386  TUPELO. 

have  been  meted  out  and  districted  for  schools,  with- 
in a  convenient  distance  from  every  man's  dwelling, 
and  in  some  states  the  school-house  door,  like  that  of 
the  church,  is  thrown  open  and  made  free  to  all  of  a 
schoolable  age.  These  measures  and  appliances  that 
constitute  the  most  powerful  machinery  for  intellect- 
ual elaboration  and  development  are  almost  unknown 
in  the  South.  The  work  of  education  with  them  is 
the  movement  of  a  spirit,  with  us  it  is  the  operation 
of  a  simple  sense  of  expediency.  They  have  accu- 
mulated means  of  knowledge,  we  are  dependent. 

"  There  you  may  see  the  evolution  of  the  steam  en- 
gine in  its  thousand  protean  forms,  of  the  steam 
threshers,  and  diggers,  and  reapers,  of  the  Cyclopean 
gnomes  that  mould  iron  like  wax,  of  the  machines 
that  sew,  weld,  stamp,  dovetail,  bevel,  shear,  turn, 
weigh,  weave,  spin,  saw,  veneer.  .  We  are  compar- 
atively destitute  of  all  these  mechanical  appliances 
and  powers.  They  have  type  foundries,  book- 
printing  presses,  authors,  writers,  publishers,  and 
other  instrumentalities  for  producing  and  dispensing 
knowledge  of  which  we  have  scarcely  any.  They 
furnish  our  school-books,  our  center  table  and  library 
books,  and  most  of  our  current  and  periodical  litera- 
ture. They  provide,  prepare,  and  administer  the 
larger  portion  of  our  intellectual  food,  and  God 
never  made  a  man,  much  less  a  people,  to  receive 
sustenance  without  being  subject  to  the  sustainer. 
While  we,  therefore,  take  pride  in  the  North,  as  a 
portion  of  our  country,  for  the  eminence  to  which  it 


TUPELO.  387 

has  attained  in  the  world  of  letters,  and  the  glory  to 
which  it  is  advancing,  we  cannot  but  view  with  sen- 
sations of  alarm  the  adverse  bearing  and  threatening 
tendency  of  its  social  organism  upon  the  state  and 
well-being  of  the  South. 

"  The  difference  of  attention  paid  to  the  single  mat- 
ter of  education  by  the  two  sections  of  the  Union, 
North  and  South,  leads  directly  to  the  generation  of 
a  strife  between  them,  the  most  bitter  and  destructive 
contests  for  power  will  inevitably  grow  out  of  un- 
equal association.  The  wiser  and  more  crafty  por- 
tion will  strive  to  rule  its  less  cultivated  and  capable 
associate.  To  those  who  have  the  discernment  to 
perceive  it,  this  is  no  longer  a  philosophical  spec- 
ulation; it  is  stubborn  and  grating  fact.  The  North 
already  holds  three  of  the  four  great  reins  of  na- 
tional control — commerce,  manufactures,  and  legisla- 
tion. It  would  soon  have  the  fourth,  religion,  had 
not  our  southern  politicians  had  sense  enough  (and 
just  about  sense  enough)  to  discover  what  was  going 
on,  and  by  a  sort  of  wild,  vehement  clamor,  rouse  the 
whole  nation  to  a  feeling  of  the  wrong  meditated 
against  our  political  rights.  It  remained  only  for 
our  pulpit  and  religious  press  to  become  thoroughly 
abolitionized  for  the  North  to  have  consummated  its 
purpose — absolute  ascendency.  But  the  resistance 
of  the  South,  through  its  politicians,  has  brought  a 
healthier  religious  sentiment,  and  a  reaction  favor- 
able to  it  is  taking  place  in  our  own  country  and 
throughout  the  world.  But  this  advantage  is  of 


388  TUPELO. 

small  moment,  and  will  soon  pass  away,  if  not  hus- 
banded and  vigorously  improved  by  a  direct  resort 
to  fundamental  considerations.  Our  stumping  pol- 
iticians as  a  class  are  very  ordinary  men,  and  as  pub- 
lic teachers  are  exceedingly  unreliable.  Generally 
the  braggart  and  buffoon  is  more  than  a  match  for 
the  sober,  earnest,  sound  reasoner  before  the  people. 
The  rank  of  competition  for  office  is  deteriorating 
and  becoming  less  gifted  in  almost  every  canvass. 
The  great  lights  of  former  days  have  expired,  and 
we  have  no  successors  to  Hayne,  Crawford,  Calhoun, 
Randolph,  Clay,  Benton,  and  Jackson  to  lift  up  and 
bear  onward  the  banner  of  the  South.  In  legisla- 
tion and  governmental  policy  we  can  no  longer  cope 
with  the  North.  Unrestrained  by  constitutions  and 
unchecked  by  master  minds,  they,  will  use  us  at  dis- 
cretion, and  our  wisdom  will  be  to  bear  it.  Revolt, 
secession,  or  revolution  will  be  worse  than  madness ; 
for  we  can  build  no  Chinese  wall  high  and  strong 
enough  to  bar  the  intercourse  or  intrusion  of  neigh- 
bors wiser  than  we  are.  We  are  doomed  to  degra- 
dation low,  if  we  do  not  change  materially  the  present 
aspect  of  things. 

"And  let  us  pause  to  consider  what  there  is  innate 
in  man  or  people  to  produce  such  disparity  of  prog- 
ress and  power.  Why  are  they  our  masters?  Why 
can  they  control  our  labor,  dictate  our  opinions, 
agitate  our  passions,  and  lull  us  into  quiescence  as 
they  choose? 

"  Is  it  because  they  are  naturally  our  superiors  in 


TUPELO.  389 

whatever  advances  man  over  his  fellow-man?  Has 
our  Yankee  brother  a  clearer  head,  a  sounder  heart, 
and  a  bigger  soul  than  a  southern  born?  Does  he 
grow  up  on  a  more  fruitful  soil,  under  a  more  genial 
sun,  or  in  a  wider  field  for  the  expansion  of  mind 
and  the  cultivation  of  genius?  Can  we  believe  that 
the  people  who  generate  and  mature  such  moral  mon- 
strosities as  Millerism,  Mormonism,  Free-loveism, 
Spiritism,  Beecherism,  women's  rights  conventions, 
etc.,  etc.,  are  the  people  that  Heaven  has  ordained  to 
be  our  rulers?  Eternal  Justice  forbid  it.  And  yet 
we  are  the  strong  man  shorn  and  bound — the  Phil- 
istines are  upon  us.  Why  is  it  so?  What  is  it? 
We  demand,  what  is  it  that  makes  the  difference  be- 
tween the  North  and  South.  It  is  simply  education. 
Would  that  we  had  a  hundred  tongues  and  iron  voice 
to  proclaim  it  till  every  southern  ear  should  hear  it 
in  notes  of  startling  thunder.  We  are  overmatched. 
We  are  subdued,  and  from  this  thrallclom  there  is  no 
escape  by  human  means,  but  by  the  redeeming  pro- 
cess of  universal  education.  To  have  the  work  par- 
tially done — one  class  taught  and  another  neglected — 
is  only  aggravating  the  evils  of  our  condition.  It  is 
quickening  the  body  politic  to  feel  the  miseries  of  its 
situation,  without  imparting  the  ability  to  obtain  re- 
lief. We  must  begin  at  the  foundation  if  we  would 
elevate  the  superstructure.  We  must  make  capable 
voters  if  we  would  have  able  representatives.  We 
must  be  respectable  at  home  if  we  would  command 
respect  abroad.  And  we  must  be  powerful  in  intel- 
lect if  we  would  prevail  in  counsel. 


390  TUPELO. 

"  We  have  thus  opened  up  a  subject  which  we  ex- 
pect to  present  in  some  form  or  other  in  every  fol- 
lowing number  of  this  periodical.  Its  intrinsic 
merits  are  sufficient  to  entitle  it  to  all  the  considera- 
tion we  are  able  to  bestow  upon  it.  But  we 
adduce  directly  the  plain,  practical  reason  that  ad- 
dresses every  southern  man's  and  every  national 
patriot's  heart — the  equalization  of  the  different 
parts  of  the  Union  for  the  integrity  and  well- 
being  of  the  whole — that  we  may  secure  attention  to 
the  subject.  We  enter  a  field  of  discussion  to  which 
we  see  no  well-defined  limits.  The  race  of  man  is 
nearly  six  thousand  years  old,  and  yet  the  question, 
What  is  education  proper?  has  never  been  settled. 
Perhaps  it  cannot  be  arbitrarily  determined,  but  as 
an  appliance  it  must  be  modified  and  adapted  to  the 
various  characters  and  conditions  of  men.  But  be 
that  as  it  may  be,  it  is  with  us  an  open  question. 
What  is  education  pro  per  for  us'l  By  what  scheme 
shall  we  enlist  the  teaching  talent  and  subject  to 
discipline  the  teachable  mind  of  the  South?  To 
this  investigation  we  hope  to  call  forth  many  a  com- 
petent assistant.  We  hope  to  see  it  occupy  a  prom- 
inent place  in  the  newspapers  of  the  state,  and  to  be- 
come a  common  theme  for  discussion  by  candidates 
before  the  people.  By  so  doing  we  hope  to  prepare 
the  way  for  our  next  legislature  to  take  hold  of  the 
subject  of  popular  instruction  and  turn  to  good  ac- 
count the  vast  resources  at  our  command  for  support- 
ing a  system  of  schools  that  may  embrace  all  classes 


TUPELO.  391 

and  conditions  of  society.  AVe  have  the  materials 
and  means  for  rearing  up  the  most  cultivated,  accom- 
plished, refined,  polished,  and  powerful  population 
on  earth,  for  we  have  a  strictly  laboring  class  in  the 
producing  and  sustaining  avocations  of  life.  We 
could  have  a  most  capable  operative  and  managing 
class,  and  then  a  class  exempt  from  manual  labor, 
which  by  proper  mental  culture  and  application 
would  become  the  glory  and  defence  of  the  South, 
and  command  the  respect  and  admiration  of  the  world. 
Let  there  be  light." 

The  wealthy  class  in  the  South  were  not  possessed 
of  a  high  degree  of  culture.  They  were  much  in- 
ferior to  the  educated  class  in  the  North.  They  re- 
ceived their  education  in  northern  colleges  and 
seminaries,  or  of  teachers  of  northern  birth  and 
education  who  had  gone  south  to  pursue  their  voca- 
tion. Spending  life  in  a  ceaseless  round  of  hilarious 
social  enjoyments  and  pleasures,  and  often  in  dissi- 
pation and  vicious  associations,  was  not  conducive  of 
a  high  degree  of  mental  culture.  It  was  a  lady  of 
wealth  and  high  social  position  who  informed  me 
that  she  very  much  feared  that  there  would  soon  be  a 
resurrection  of  the  negroes.  It  was  a  company  of 
aristocratic  slave-holders  who,  upon  organizing  them- 
selves into  the  Silver  Gray  Home  Guards,  in  Jan., 
1861,  adopted  this  as  one  of  the  articles  of  their  con- 
stitution: "Section  2,  Art.  3.  We  will  not  leave  the 
state  of  Mississippi  unless  it  be  invaded.''7  It  was  a 
physician  of  high  standing  who  informed  me  that 


392  TUPELO 

Gen.  Albert  Sidney  Johnson  had  been  killed  in  the 
battle  of  Shiloh.  He  averred  that  the  femoral  artery 
had  been  severed  below  the  knee  and  that  this  caused 
hemorrhage  which  resulted  in  death. 

Servile  insurrections  were  constantly  feared,  es- 
pecially by  the  female  portion  of  the  population.  I 
lodged  a  few  days  at  the  house  of  Dr.  Dunlap, 
near  Holly  Springs.  Mrs.  Dunlap  informed  me 
that  she  noticed  a  large  gathering  of  their  colored 
people  at  one  of  the  cabins.  Wishing  to  learn  the 
cause,  she  slipped  round  to  the  back  window  unob- 
served, as  the  night  was  dark,  to  play  the  role  of  an 
eavesdropper.  A  well-dressed  burly  African,  in  an 
earnest  tone,  was  haranguing  them  after  this  manner : 
"  I  tells  you,  ladies  an'  gentlemen,  we's  all  gwine  to 
be  free  before  long.  We's  all  going  to  enjoy  liberty, 
nios'  right  away.  We  won't  be  slaves  no  longer  an' 
be  whipped  an'  cuffed  by  de  white  folks."  "  How 
duz  you  know  all  dat  ? "  said  White  Jim,  an  octo- 
roon. "  Why  didn't  I  hear  massa  Jeff  Davis  say 
so.  I  done  drove  him  out  in  de  carriage  to  dat 
stan'  where  he  'dressed  de  people  to-day,  an'  I  hed 
to  wait  to  bring  him  back.  From  what  he  said  de 
people  of  de  Norf  is  comin'  down  to  set  us  free  an' 
dey'll  jes  mow  dese  southern  people  down  as  dey 
mows  de  grass.  An'  he  said  de  northern  people  be- 
lieved in  negro  'quality,  dat  de  white  folks  up  dar 
wuz  willing  to  marry  our  daughters  an'  let  us  marry 
theirn.  Jes  be  ready,  as  the  hime  sez,  your  redemp- 
tion draweth  nigh."  The  doctor,  as  soon  as  I  in- 


TUPELO.  393 

formed  him  of  what  was  going  on,  went  out  with  a 
whip  and  drove  off  this  orator  whose  incendiary  speech 
had  a  tendency  to  incite  servile  insurrection.  He 
ought  to  have  tied  him  up  and  given  him  five  hundred 
lashes." 

In  1856  one  slave  murdered  another.  Judge 
Scroggs,  of  Holly  Springs,  inserted  a  card  in  the  pa- 
pers asking  for  information,  as  he  could  not  find  any 
law  to  meet  the  case.  Afterward  he  published  a 
card,  stating  that  as  there  was  no  law  to  punish  one 
slave  for  the  murder  of  another,  he  had  ordered  that 
the  culprit  receive  three  hundred  lashes,  and  had 
sent  him  home  to  his  master.  A  physician  in  Lex- 
ington, Ky.,  forcibly  violated  the  person  of  a  female 
patient — an  octoroon.  A  moot  court  was  held  by  the 
young  lawyers  of  the  city,  who  tried  the  physician, 
and  the  jury  impaneled  for  the  occasion  condemned 
him  to  pay  for  the  oysters.  This  woman  was  mar- 
ried, and  suifered  severe  mental  anguish  because  of 
the  crime  committed  against  her  virtue,  but  she  could 
obtain  no  redress.  A  planter  living  in  Fayette 
county,  Ky.,  murdered  his  wife  because  she  truth- 
fully accused  him  of  infidelity  to  his  marriage  vows. 
The  murder  was  witnessed  by  forty  of  his  slaves,  two  of 
whom  were  severely  wounded  trying  to  save  the  life 
of  their  mistress.  The  murderer  was  arrested,  tried, 
and  acquitted  for  lack  of  testimony,  slaves  being  in- 
competent by  southern  law  to  give  testimony  in  a 
court  of  justice.  But  retributive  justice  overtook 
this  man  a  few  months  after  his  acquittal.  He  died  at 
the  hands  of  his  brother-in-law. 


394  TUPELO. 

In  the  Mississippi  bottoms  and  in  mountainous 
districts,  in  the  everglades  of  Florida  and  places  not 
easily  accessible,  large  numbers  of  maroons  make 
their  homes.  Here  they  live  in  comparative  security 
and  raise  families.  The  maroons  prefer  death  to 
slavery.  They  have  bludgeons  with  sharp  knife 
blades  deftly  inserted  in  the  heavy  end  of  them,  and 
woe  to  the  hound  that  comes  within  their  reach. 
Those  who  live  upon  the  mountains  are  properly 
called  cimaroons.  They  are  very  adroit  in  evading 
capture,  and  should  they  be  captured  they  will  in- 
duce other  slaves  to  escape  with  them  and  become 
cliff-dwellers  and  troglodytes  amid  the  fastnesses  of 
the  mountains,  or  they  will  make  their  home  on  some 
hummock  near  a  lagoon,  whose  shores  are  embowered 
by  the  evergreen  cypress,  the  long-leafed  pine,  the 
trailing  vine,  and  the  pendent  moss.  By  the  aid  of 
the  friendly  lagoon  or  bayou  they  can  evade  the 
sleuth-hound,  and  the  fish  which  abound  are  readily 
taken  in  their  skillfully  woven  nets.  By  the  aid  of 
traps  they  feast  upon  wild  turkeys,  opossums,  wild 
pigeons,  and  every  variety  of  game.  Without  the 
aid  of  guns  the  wild  deer  becomes  a  victim  of  their 
skillfully  constructed  snares.  From  a  noxious  plant 
indigenous  to  southern  swamps,  they  manufacture  a 
subtle  poison  in  which  they  saturate  meat  and  place 
it  near  the  kennels  of  hounds.  The  poison  is  nearly 
inodorous  and  insipid.  It  is  sure  death  to  all  ani- 
mals born  blind.  The  maroons  call  it  "  stagger 
pizen,"  because  the  poisoned  animal  staggers  as  if  in- 


TUPELO.  395 

toxicated  till  almost  the  last  moment  of  its  existence. 
When  pursued  by  hounds,  pieces  of  meat  saturated 
with  this  poisonous  decoction  are  thrown  on  his  track 
by  the  fugitive  as  he  flies;  the  hounds  devour  it  with 
avidity.  It  is  a  very  active  poison.  Its  fatal  effects 
are  speedily  developed,  and  as  there  is  no  known  anti- 
dote the  hounds  soon  die  in  convulsive  agony.  Thus 
many  a  poor  hunted  fugitive  has  been  saved  from  a 
cruel  death,  or  the  infliction  of  a  terrible  flagellation 
with  the  loss  of  dear  but  precarious  liberty,  at  appar- 
ently the  last  moment,  even  when  the  hounds  were 
within  a  mile  of  their  victim.  Thus  proving  the 
truth  of  the  adage,  "  Man's  extremity  is  God's  oppor- 
tunity." 

St.  Louis,  Mo. 

THE   SOUTHERN    BARBECUE. 

Twenty-four  hours  before  the  feast  is  to  be  served 
the  preparations  are  under  way.  Seventy-two  South- 
down sheep  have  been  slaughtered  and  suspended 
in  undivided  carcasses.  Twenty-five  shoats  bear  the 
mutton  company.  While  the  butchers  are  doing  their 
work,  a  gang  of  darkeys,  whose  shovels  fly  as  if  it 
was  a  labor  of  love,  have  excavated  three  trenches, 
sixty  feet  long,  three  and  a  half  feet  wide,  and  four 
feet  deep.  They  are  side  by  side,  clean  cut  through 
sod  and  clay,  and  if  a  surveyor  had  gone  over  them 
he  could  not  have  found  fault  with  the  symmetry. 
Then  the  wood  is  hauled.  It  is  only  the  best  seasoned 
hickory  which  goes  into  the  pits,  and  cord  after  cord 


396  TUPELO. 

is  piled  in,  until  there  is  an  amount  which  would 
stock  a  wood  yard  in  a  northern  city.  Stick  after 
stick  is  laid  on  until  the  wood  rises  above  the  surface. 
Coal  oil  is  brought  and  poured  on  the  wood.  Then 
fire  is  applied  in  a  dozen  places  and  the  contents  of 
the  trenches  blaze  from  end  to  end.  From  midnight 
till  daylight  the  smoke  and  flames  and  the  trenches 
are  not  approachable.  It  is  Gehenna  in  miniature. 
At  five  o'clock  the  contents  have  settled  down  to  a 
bed  of  coals  a  foot  thick,  from  which  arises  a  fervent 
heat.  In  the  waiting  hours  the  spits,  long,  smooth- 
shaven  poles  of  hickory,  have  been  made  ready,  and 
in  pairs  have  been  run  through  the  carcasses  length- 
wise. They  form  stretchers,  and  as  they  rest  on  sup- 
porters the  sheep  or  shoat  is  stretched  out  flat. 
Grasping  these  hickory  poles  the  darkies,  one  at  each 
end,  carry  the  carcasses  and  lay  them  over  the  trenches, 
the  spits  holding  them  in  position.  Over  the  intense 
heat,  the  surface  flesh  begins  to  sputter  and  fly,  and 
then  ensues  a  lively  scene.  To  prevent  scorch  ing  the 
carcasses  have  to  be  turned  over  every  ten  minutes, 
and  the  attendants  fairly  rushed  along  the  sides  of 
the  trenches  grasping  and  flopping  over  the  roasting 
pork  and  mutton.  At  one  end  of.  the  pits  is  a  great 
cauldron,  where  the  seasoning,  salt  and  pepper  and 
other  condiments,  is  mixed  in  water  and  boiled.  This 
compound  is  dipped  out  in  buckets,  and  men  go  from 
carcass  to  carcass  with  great  swabbing  cloths  tied  on 
sticks.  In  this  way  they  apply  the  seasoning.  As 
the  embers  drop  lower  the  heat  becomes  less  intense, 


TUPELO.  397 

and  the  barbecuing  goes  on  more  soberly.  Occasionally 
a  little  water  is  thrown  on  the  coals,  and  steam  relieves 
the  cooking  of  too  much  dryness,  but  the  basting  goes 
on  unceasingly.  In  ordinary  times  Uncle  Jake  Hos- 
tetter  may  be  an  humble  citizen  in  Lexington.  Now, 
as  master  of  the  barbecuing,  he  rules  supreme  in  the 
cooking  lot,  for  the  trenches  are  enclosed  by  a  tight 
board  fence,  and  it  requires  some  persuasion  to  get 
past  the  guards.  There  are  only  a  few  favored  per- 
sons within.  The  thousands  who  sniff  the  odors,  and 
look  longingly  toward  the  incense  arising  from  the 
fires,  are  wandering  through  the  park  wondering  when 
dinner  will  be  ready.  The  master  of  the  barbecue 
moves  among  the  trenches  and  his  word  is  law.  He 
served  his  apprenticeship  away  back  when  presidents 
came  to  these  Kentucky  festivities.  Barbecues  have 
not  been  so  frequent  of  late  years.  But  Uncle  Jake 
feels  safe  in  his  experience,  and  he  shows  no  uneasi- 
ness over  the  fact  that  5,000  people  are  holding  him 
responsible  for  their  dinners,  and  some  of  them  have 
gone  breakfastless  to  stimulate  appetite.  Now  and 
then  two  of  the  cooking  corps  bring  up  from  the 
trenches  to  the  table  under  the  big  tree  a  carcass  to 
inspect.  He  cuts  into  it,  slices  off  bits  of  the  flesh, 
tastes,  and  looks  knowing.  Even  the  president  of  the 
day,  Hon.  -AV.  C.  P.  Breckenridge,  recognizes  the 
authority.  The  speaking  has  commenced  from  a 
stand  in  the  park,  and  somebody  wants  to  know  when 
the  orators  are  going  to  stop  for  dinner.  "  Just  when 
Uncle  Jake  Hostetter  says  the  mutton  is  done  to  a 


398  TUPELO. 

turn,"  replies  Mr.  Breckenridge,  and  another  states- 
man is  let  loose  to  say  a  great  many  pretty  compli- 
ments about  Kentucky,  and  a  very  few  words  about 
national  politics. 

The  Blue  Grass  country  has  contributed  to  this 
occasion  three  great  caldrons.  Whatever  useful  pur- 
pose they  may  have  subserved  about  hog  killing  time, 
they  are  now  doing  duty  in  the  manufacture  of  900 
gallons  of  burgoo.  Burgoo  has  a  basis,  as  the 
chemist  says.  The  basis  on  this  occasion  consists  of 
150  chickens  and  225  pounds  of  beef  in  joints,  and 
other  forms  best  suited  for  soup.  To  this  has  been 
added  a  bushel  or  two  of  tomatoes.  The  heap  of 
shaven  roasting  ears  tells  of  another  accessory  before 
the  fact.  Cabbage  and  potatoes  and  probably  other 
things  in  small  quantities,  but  too  numerous  to  men- 
tion, have  gone  into  the  pots.  The  fires  were  lighted 
under  the  vats  before  the  roasting  commenced  on  the 
trenches,  and  the  burgoo  has  been  steadily  boiling 
ever  since.  This  boiling  necessitates  steady  stirring, 
and  next  to  Uncle  Jake's  ministerial  powers  the  old 
expert  who  presides  over  each  kettle  conies  in  for  due 
respect  and  glorification.  "  You  might  not  think  it/' 
says  the  old  grey-headed  Kentuckian  whose  eye  is 
on  the  largest  of  the  pots  where  500  gallons  of  bur- 
goo are  bubbling,  "but  a  piece  of  mutton  suet  as 
large  as  my  hand  thrown  into  the  pot  would  spoil 
the  whole  mess.  That  shows  you  that  there  are 
somethings  you  can't  put  in  burgoo.  Sometimes  out 
in  the  woods  we  put  in  squirrels  and  turkeys,  but  we 


TUPELO.  399 

didn't  have  any  this  time.  I  think  they've  got  a 
leetle  too  much  pepper  in  that  pot  down  there,  so  if 
you  don't  find  what  you  get  is  just  right  come  to  me 
and  I'll  fix  you  up  with  some  of  this."  As  the  meat 
boils  from  the  bones  the  latter  are  raised  from  the 
bottom  of  the  kettle  by  the  paddle  and  thrown  out. 
Gradually  vegetables  lose  all  distinctive  form  and 
appearance,  and  the  compound  is  reduced  to  a  homo- 
geneous liquid,  about  the  consistency  of  molasses. 
"Burgoo  ought  to  boil  about  14  hours,"  says  the  old 
expert,  " we've  only  had  about  8  for  this,  but  I  think 
they'll  be  able  to  eat  it." 

Gradually  the  heap  of  barbecued  meat  accumulates 
before  Uncle  Jake.  He  goes  over  and  looks  at  the 
burgoo,  and  consults  with  the  old  expert.  Then  he 
glances  over  the  fence  at  the  long  tables,  and  finds 
that  two  wagon  loads  of  bread  have  been  hewn  into 
rations  and  strewn  along  the  pine  boards.  The 
tin  cups,  3,000  of  them,  are  hurriedly  scattered  with 
the  bread.  From  all  parts  of  the  grounds  there  is  a 
sudden  but  decorous  movement  toward  the  tables, 
and  the  orator  on  tap  runs  off  a  peroration  and  stops. 
Uncle  Jake's  corps  of  assistants  bring  out  the  carcasses 
still  on  the  stretchers,  and  every  rod  of  table  length 
finds  a  smoking  sheep  and  a  shoat.  Gus  Jaubert  and 
a  dozen  butchers,  with  their  long,  sharp  knives,  shave 
and  cut  and  deal  out  with  all  the  speed  that  long 
practice  has  given  them.  The  burgoo,  steaming  hot 
in  new  wooden  buckets,  is  brought  in,  and  as  the 
attendants  pass  along  the  lines  the  hungry  people  dip 


400  TUPELO. 

out  cupfuls  and  sip  it  as  it  cools.  There  are  no  knives 
nor  forks.  Nobody  asks  for  or  expects  them. 
Neither  are  there  spoons  for  the  burgoo.  The  great 
slices  of  bread  serve  as  plates  for  the  meat.  There 
are  5,000  people  eating  together,  and  all  busy  at  once. 
Not  a  basket  has  been  brought.  All  types  and  classes 
of  Blue  Grass  people  are  facing  those  tables,  and 
handling  their  bread  and  meat  and  burgoo  with  mani- 
festations of  appetite  which  tell  of  the  relish  of  the 
fare.  Finally,  nothing  but  skeletons  remain  of  the 
sheep  and  shoats,  and  the  tables  are  swept.  Uncle 
Jake  moves  among  the  throng,  and  men  like  Senator 
Beck  and  Gov.  Blackburn  and  Gen.  Wm.  Preston 
shake  his  hand,  and  tell  him  he  has  eclipsed  his 
former  efforts.  It  is  the  proud  happy  hour  of  Uncle 
Jacob's  life.  He  is  the  hero  of  the  hour.  Don 
Piatt  and  several  other  reporters  were  present  taking 
notes  of  this  wonderful  institution,  the  southern  bar- 
becue, and  graphic  reports  find  their  way  to  the 
northern  papers.  The  southerner,  notably  the  Ken- 
tuckian,  regards  the  man's  life  a  failure  who  has  not 
attended  a  barbecue. 

Winchester,  Clark  Co.,  Ky. 

I  preached  the  following  sermon  just  before  uiy 
successful  attempt  to  escape  from  prison.  I  supposed 
that  it  would  probably  be  the  last  sermon  I  should 
ever  preach  on  earth,  as  the  chances  for  escape  seemed 
very  slender : 


TUPELO.  401 

THE  GENERAL  JUDGMENT. 

The  text  was  2  Cor.  v.  10 :  "We  must  all  appear 
before  the  judgment  seat  of  Christ,  that  every  one 
may  receive  the  things  done  in  his  body,  according 
to  that  he  hath  done,  whether  it  be  good  or  bad." 

The  doctrine  of  a  general  judgment  was  revealed 
to  mankind  at  a  very  early  period  of  the  world's 
history.  Enoch,  the  seventh  from  Adam,  prophe- 
sied, saying,  "Behold  the  Lord  cometh  with  ten 
thousand  of  his  saints,  to  execute  judgment  upon  all, 
and  to  convince  all  that  are  ungodly  among  them  of  all 
the  ungodly  deeds  which  they  have  ungodly  committed, 
and  of  all  their  hard  speeches  which  ungodly  sinners 
have  spoken  against  him."  Job  declares:  "I  know 
that  my  Redeemer  liveth,  and  that  he  shall  stand  at 
the  latter  day  upon  the  earth."  Daniel  also  speaks 
of  a  general  judgment:  "I  beheld  till  the  thrones 
were  cast  down,  and  the  Ancient  of  days  did  sit, 
whose  garment  was  white  as  snow,  and  the  hair  of 
his  head  like  the  pure  wool ;  his  throne  was  like 
the  fiery  flame,  and  his  wheels  as  burning  fire.  A 
fiery  stream  issued  and  came  forth  from  before  him ; 
thousand  thousands  ministered  unto  him,  and  ten 
thousand  times  ten  thousand  stood  before  him :  the 
judgment  was  set,  and  the  books  were  opened." 
The  New  Testament  is  also  explicit  in  its  declara- 
tions that  God  hath  appointed  a  day  in  which  he  will 
judge  the  world  in  righteousness  by  that  man  whom 
he  hath  ordained.  The  text  declares  that  we  must 
all  appear  before  the  judgment  seat  of  Christ. 
26 


402  TUPELO. 

The  scenes  which  will  usher  in  the  judgment  of 
the  great  day  will  be  of  the  most  magnificent  character. 
"The  heavens  shall  pass  away  with  a  great  noise, 
and  the  elements  shall  melt  with  fervent  heat ;  the 
earth  also,  and  the  works  that  are  therein,  shall  be 
burned  up."  This  does  not  indicate  annihilation. 
God  will  never  annihilate  any  of  his  creatures,  ani- 
mate or  inanimate. 

The  inquiry  is  often  made,  what  becomes  of  the 
soul  after  death,  and  where  does  it  await  the  general 
judgment?  A  sect  called  the  Soul-sleepers  take  the 
position  that  the  soul,  after  death,  goes  into  a  torpid 
state,  like  bears  in  winter,  and  thus  remains  till  the 
sounding  of  the  Archangel's  trump.  There  is  no 
scripture  to  sustain  this  view,  and  it  is  only  assumed, 
to  avoid  the  objection  that  God  would  not  judge  a 
soul,  and  send  it  to  reward  or  punishment,  and  then 
bring  it  back,  to  be  again  judged.  That  the  soul,  at 
death,  passes  immediately  into  glory  or  torment,  is 
proved  by  many  scriptures.  Paul  "desired  to  de- 
part, and  be  with  Christ,  which  was  far  better,"  than 
remaining  on  earth.  He  declares  that  to  be  present 
with  the  body,  is  to  be  absent  from  the  Lord.  The 
dying  Stephen  calls  upon  the  Lord  Jesus  to  receive 
his  spirit.  These  holy  men  would  not  thus  have 
spoken,  if  they  supposed  that  ages  must  elapse  ere 
they  entered  heaven.  God  is  not  the  God  of  the  dead 
or  torpid,  but  of  the  living.  Moses  and  Elias  ap- 
peared on  the  mount  of  transfiguration  in  a  state  far 
from  torpidity.  The  dying  thief  received  the  prom- 


TUPELO.  403 

ise,  "  This  day  shalt  thou  be  with  me  in  paradise." 
No  mention  is  made  of  purgatory  or  torpidity.  The 
objector  urges  that  paradise  is  not  heaven.  We  are 
told  that  the  river  of  life  flows  from  the  throne  of 
God,  that  the  tree  of  life  grows  on  both  sides  of  the 
river,  and  that  the  tree  of  life  grows  in  the  midst  of 
the  paradise  of  God.  The  paradise  of  God  is  where 
he  is  seated  on  his  throne,  which  is  heaven.  Para- 
dise is  where  Christ  is.  The  thief  would  be  with 
Christ  in  paradise.  He  who  regards  the  Lord  Jesus 
as  the  Chief  among  ten  thousand,  the  One  altogether 
lovely,  will  deem  his  presence  heaven  indeed.  As 
to  the  wicked,  it  is  said  of  the  rich  man,  that  in  hell 
he  lifted  up  his  eyes,  being  in  torment.  If,  after 
being  judged,  the  souls  of  believers  do  pass  immedi- 
ately into  glory,  and  the  wicked  into  torment,  what 
use  is  there  of  another  or  general  judgment.  I  reply, 
we  are  responsible  not  only  for  our  acts,  but  for  the 
influence  which  those  acts  exert  through  all  time. 
Gibbon,  Hume,  Rousseau,  Paine,  and  other  infidel 
writers  wrote  works  which,  during  the  life  of  the 
authors,  did  great  evil.  If  those  wicked  men  passed 
away  from  earth  impenitent,  they  are  now  suffering 
the  vengeance  of  eternal  fire.  But  the  influence  for 
evil  of  those  wicked  works  did  not  cease  with  the 
death  of  their  authors.  Thousands  of  young  men 
every  year  are  led  into  pernicious  and  hurtful  errors 
by  their  perusal.  At  the  general  judgment  the  ac- 
cumulated guilt  for  the  baleful  influence  exerted 
through  their  writings  in  all  time  will  sink  them 


404  TUPELO 

deeper  in  the  flames  of  perdition.  The  sainted  Alex- 
ander and  other  pious  men  who  are  now  in  heaven 
wrote  many  works  whose  influence  for  good  was 
great  while  their  authors  lived,  and  since  their  death 
they  are,  and  will  continue  to  be,  instrumental  in  the 
hand  of  God  in  turning  many  to  righteousness.  All 
the  good  accomplished  by  their  writings  through  all 
time,  will,  at  the  judgment,  add  to  their  exceeding 
and  eternal  weight  of  glory. 

In  this  life,  we  often  see  the  righteous  man  con- 
tending with  life's  unnumbered  woes ;  all  the  dealings 
of  Providence  seem  to  be  adverse.  While  the  wicked 
are  in  great  power  they  flourish  in  life  like  the  green 
bay-tree,  and  have  no  bands  in  their  death.  These 
things  are  strange  and  mysterious.-  We  understand 
them  not  now,  but  we  shall  learn  in  that  great  day 
when  all  mysteries  are  made  plain  that  God's  dealings 
were  just,  both  with  the  righteous  and  the  wicked. 

The  text  declares  that  we  must  all  appear  before 
the  judgment  seat  of  Christ.  This  we  includes  all 
who  are  now  within  the  sound  of  my  voice,  and  not 
only  us,  but  all  who  live  upon  the  face  of  the  earth ; 
and  the  Archangel's  trump  will  wake  the  pale  nations 
of  the  dead  and  summon  them  to  judgment.  The 
dark  domain  of  hell  will  be  vacated,  and  the  angels 
that  kept  not  their  first  estate  and  are  now  reserved 
in  chains  of  darkness  will  appear  in  the  presence  of 
the  Judge.  Heaven's  holy  inhabitants  will  be  present. 
Thus  heaven,  earth,  and  hell  will  be  represented  in 
that  august  assemblage.  This  scene  will  bear  some 


TUPELO.  -  405 

resemblance  to  that  which  takes  place  in  our  earthly 
courts.  The  Lord  Jesus  Christ  will  be  the  Judge, 
and  the  angels  and  saints  will  be  the  jurors,  who  will 
consent  to  and  approve  of  the  acts  of  the  Judge. 
The  angels  will  be  the  officers  who  will  summon  from 
the  prison-house  of  hell  the  devils  to  the  trial,  and 
also  those  wicked  men  who  will  call  upon  the  rocks 
and  mountains  to  fall  upon  them  to  hide  them  from 
the  face  of  the  Lamb.  Nor,  as  is  so  often  the  case 
with  earthly  officers,  will  any  be  able  to  elude  the 
vigilance  of  these.  They  will  be  clothed  with  ample 
power  to  compel  the  attendance  of  all ;  none  will 
escape.  We  must  all  appear  before  the  judgment 
seat.  As  in  earthly  courts,  law  is  the  basis  of  judg- 
ment, so  we  shall  be  judged  according  to  law  in  that 
day.  The  heathen  will  be  judged  by  the  law  of  na- 
ture— the  law  written  in  their  hearts  and  on  their 
consciences.  The  light  of  nature  teaches  the  being, 
wisdom,  power,  and  goodness  of  God.  For  a  viola- 
tion of  this  law  they  will  be  beaten  with  few  stripes. 
The  Jews  will  t>e  judged  by  both  the  law  of  nature, 
which  they  have  in  common  with  the  heathen,  and 
the  Mosaic  law.  But  we  who  live  in  the  nineteenth 
century,  in  the  full  blaze  of  gospel  light,  will  be 
judged  not  only  by  the  light  of  nature  and  the  Mo- 
saic law,  winch  we  possess  in  common  with  the 
heathen  and  the  Jew,  but  also  by  the  glorious  gospel 
of  the  Son  of  God,  which  brought  life  and  immor- 
tality to  light ;  and  if  condemned,  how  fearful  our 
doom,  who  are  so  highly  favored  !  In  earthly  courts. 


406  TUPELO. 

we  are  judged  for  our  overt  acts  alone,  but  in  the 
court  of  heaven  the  commandment  is  exceeding  broad ; 
it  reaches  every  thought.  Our  words,  too,  are  taken 
into  account.  We  must  give  an  account  for  every 
idle  word.  By  our  words  we  shall  be  justified,  and 
by  our  words  we  shall  be  condemned.  Our  thoughts, 
our  words,  our  deeds  will  all  be  taken  into  account. 

As  in  our  courts  there  are  witnesses,  so  also  there 
will  be  at  the  bar  of  God.  Our  pious  relatives  and 
friends  will  bear  this  testimony,  that  they  have  prayed 
with  us  and  for  us ;  that  they  had  a  deep  concern  for 
our  souls,  and  that  we  who  are  found  on  the  left  hand 
of  the  Judge,  refused  all  their  counsel,  and  despised 
their  admonitions.  Ministers  of  the  gospel  will 
testify  that  they  came  as  ambassadors  from  the  King 
of  kings,  and  beseeching  you,  in  Christ's  stead,  to  be 
reconciled  to  God,  pointing  to  the  coming  wrath,  and 
warning  you  from  that  wrath  to  flee;  and  yet  their 
labor  of  love  ye  despised,  and  scorned  the  message 
from  on  high.  The  Bible  will  be  a  witness  against 
you.  Its  teachings  are  able  to  make  wise  unto  salva- 
tion. It  is  the  chart  which  is  given  to  guide  us 
through  this  wilderness-world,  to  fairer  worlds  on 
high.  It  tells  of  the  Lamb  of  God,  who  taketh 
away  the  sin  of  the  world.  It  is  truth  without  any 
mixture  of  error,  and  yet  you  have  despised  this 
necessary  revelation,  and  chosen  to  perish,  with  the 
Word  of  Life  open  before  you.  God,  the  Father, 
will  be  a  swift  witness  against  you.  In  the  greatness 
of  His  love  for  you,  in  the  counsels  of  eternity,  He 


TUPELO.  407 

devised  the  plan  of  salvation,  and  sent  His  only  be- 
gotten Son  to  suffer  and  die,  that  you  might  live,  and 
yet  you  have  despised  that  love,  and  rejected  that 
Saviour.  God,  the  Son,  will  bear  this  testimony, 
that  He  came  from  the  shining  abodes  of  glory,, 
where  seraphim  and  cherubim  fell  prostrate  at  His 
feet,  in  humble  adoration,  and  emptying  Himself  of 
His  glory,  bore  all  the  ills  of  life — the  persecutions, 
of  wicked  men,  and  the  accursed  death  of  the  cross, 
that  salvation  might  be  yours,  and  yet  ye  refused  it,, 
and  trod  the  blood  of  the  Son  of  God  under  foot,  and 
put  Him  to  an  open  shame.  The  Holy  Spirit,  the 
Third  Person  of  the  adorable  Trinity,  will  bear  wit- 
ness that  He  often  knocked  at  the  door  of  your  hearts 
for  admittance;  that  He  wooed  you  to  embrace  His 
love,  offering  to  abide  with  you  forever,  and  yet  you 
rejected  the  offer,  and  did  despite  to  the  Spirit  of 
Grace,  till,  in  sorrow,  He  took  His  everlasting  flight. 
The  devil  is  now  going  about  as  a  roaring  lion, 
seeking  whom  he  may  devour.  And  sometimes  trans- 
forming himself  into  an  angel  of  light,  he  is  tempt- 
ing you  to  sin,  by  presenting  before  your  minds  the 
superior  charms  of  the  riches  and  pleasures  of  earth, 
to  things  that  are  unseen  and  eternal.  He  has  no 
power  to  compel  you  to  sin.  His  evil  suggestions 
are  whispered  in  your  oft  too  willing  ears,  and  then 
it  remains  with  you  to  accept  or  reject.  He  has  no 
power  of  compulsion.  Your  sin  must  be  an  act  of 
your  own  will,  or  it  is  not  sin.  When  you  consent 
to  the  wiles  of  this  arch  enemy,  and  sin  against  God, 


408  TUPELO. 

remember  that  with  eager  desire  and  base  ingratitude 
he  will  fiercely  accuse  in  the  great  day  of  God 
Almighty,  and  urge  these  very  sins  of  his  suggestion 
as  a  reason  that  he  should  have  you  to  torment  you 
forever  in  the  bottomless  pit. 

That  internal  monitor,  that  light  which  enlightens 
every  man  that  cometh  into  the  world — the  moral 
sense,  or  conscience — will  be  a  swift  witness  against 
you.  By  it  you  have  been  enlightened  and  warned  ; 
and  in  the  case  of  many  who  have  denied  a  future 
state  of  punishment,  the  goadings  of  remorse  have 
convinced  them  that  there  is  a  hell,  the  kindlings  of 
whose  fires  they  have  felt  in  their  own  bosoms. 
Conscience  will  compel  you  to  confess  that  your  doom 
is  just,  though  forever  debarred  from  the  joys  and 
happiness  of  heaven.  O !  my  fellow-prisoners  and 
travelers  to  the  bar  of  God,  listen  to  her  warning 
voice  to-day,  before  it  be  too  late,  and  you  are  com- 
pelled mournfully  to  exclaim,  "  The  harvest  is  past, 
the.  summer  is  ended,  and  I  am  not  saved!"  The 
conscience  of  the  sinner  will  be  compelled  to  admit 
the  truth  of  the  testimony.  In  earthly  courts,  often- 
times witnesses  are  suborned,  and  their  testimony 
false.  Not  so  at  the  grand  assize.  Not  a  scrap  of 
false  testimony  will  be  admitted.  The  evidence  will 
be  in  truth,  and  the  judgment  in  righteousness. 

After  all  these  scenes  have  occurred,  the  Judge  will 
render  a  verdict,  and  pronounce  the  sentence,  which 
will  be  irreversible  and  eternal.  With  regard  to  the 
righteous,  though  they  have  been  guilty  of  many  sins, 


TUPELO.  409 

both  of  omission  and  commission,  and  have  no  merits 
of  their  own  to  plead,  and  consider  themselves  justly- 
obnoxious  to  eternal  banishment,  their  Advocate,  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  in  whom,  while  in  the  flesh,  they 
exercised  a  true  and  living  faith,  will  now  present 
them,  clad  in  the  white  robes  of  His  perfect  righteous- 
ness, faultless  before  His  Father,  and  they  will  ,now 
hear  the  welcome  plaudit,  "Come,  ye  blessed,  inherit 
the  kingdom  prepared  for  you  from  the  foundation  of 
the  world."  But  those  on  the  left  hand,  who  all 
their  life  rejected  the  mercy  offered — the  great  salva- 
tion proffered  without  money  and  without  price — 
will  now  hear  the  dread  sentence,  "Depart,  ye  cursed, 
into  everlasting  fire,  prepared  for  the  devil  and  his 
angels ! " 

O  my  dear,  impenitent  fellow-prisoners  !  how  can 
ye  take  up  your  abode,  your  eternal  abode,  in  ever- 
lasting burnings?  How  can  ye  dwell  with  devour- 
ing fire?  How  can  ye  endure  everlasting  destruction 
from  the  presence  of  the  Lord  and  the  glory  of  His 
power,  shut  up  forever  in  the  fearful  pit  out  of  which 
there  is  no  egress  except  for  the  vision  of  the  damned, 
and  the  smoke  of  its  torment?  Be  wise  to-day,  'tis 
madness  to  defer.  Procrastination  is  the  thief  of 
time.  Delay  is  fraught  with  awful  danger.  Trust 
not  in  promisjes  of  future  amendment.  The  way  to 
hell  is  paved  with  good  resolutions,  which  are  never 
kept.  The  future  convenient  season  never  arrives. 
Like  Felix,  we  may  tremble  when  the  minister  reasons 
of  a  judgment  to  come;  and  like  Agrippa,  we  may 


410  TUPELO. 

be  almost  persuaded  to  be  Christians,  and  yet  come 
short  of  the  gloiy'of  God  through  procrastination. 
Procrastination  has  populated  hell.  All  the  doomed 
and  damned  from  Christian  lands  are  victims  of  this 
pernicious  and  destructive  wile  of  the  devil.  It  is 
foolish  to  procrastinate.  Though  the  Bible  teems 
with  rich  and  glorious  promises  of  a  hundred-fold 
blessings  in  this  life,  and  eternal  glory  in  the  world 
to  come,  to  those  who  break  off  their  sins  by  right- 
eousness, and  their  transgressions  by  turning  unto 
the  Lord,  yet  all  these  promises  are  limited  to  the 
present  tense.  There  is  not  a  single  blessing  prom- 
ised the  future  penitent.  He  procrastinates  at  the 
risk  of  losing  all.  Behold,  now  is  the  accepted  time, 
and  now  is  the  day  of  salvation.  To-day  if  ye  will 
hear  his  voice,  harden  not  your  hearts.  "  Ho,  every 
one  that  thirsteth,  come  ye  to  the  waters ;  and  he  that 
hath  no  money,  come  ye,  buy  and  eat;  yea,  come,  buy 
wine  and  milk  without  money  and  without  price." 
"Seek  ye  first  the  kingdom  of  God  and  his  righteous- 
ness." "And  the  Spirit  and  the  Bride  say,  come; 
let  him  that  heareth  say,  come;  and  let  him  that  is 
athirst,  come;  and  whosoever  will,  let  him  take  the 
water  of  life  freely." 

Choose  ye  this  day  whom  ye  will  serve.  There  is 
no  warrant  for  deferring  till  to-morrow  the  moment- 
ous and  eternal  interests  of  the  immortal  soul.  The 
shortness  and  uncertainty  of  life  furnish  a  strong 
reason  that  we  should  not  procrastinate.  In  the 
Bible,  life  is  compared  to  everything  that  is  swift, 


TUPELO.  411 

transient,  and  fleeting  in  its  nature.  It  is  compared 
to  the  swoop  of  the  eagle  hastening  to  the  prey ;  to 
the  swift  post,  to  the  bubble  on  the  river.  Life  is 
compared  in  its  duration  to  a  year,  a  day,  and  to 
nothing,  yea,  less  than  nothing,  and  vanity.  All 
these  comparisons  indicate  that  it  is  very  brief  and 
evanescent.  We  have  no  lease  of  life ;  we  hold  it  by 
a  very  slight  tenure ;  and  this  is  especially  true  of  us 
in  our  present  condition.  Confined  in  prison,  some 
of  us  led  to  death  every  day  without  a  moment's 
warning,  every  evening  I  address  some  who,  before 
the  next  evening,  are  in  eternity.  Myself  in  chains, 
my  life  declared  forfeited,  ought  we  not  all  to  be 
deeply  impressed  with  the  necessity  of  immediate 
preparation  to  meet  our  God?  I  feel  that  I  am 
preaching  as  a  dying  man  to  dying  men,  and  I  be- 
seech you  in  Christ's  stead,  be  ye  reconciled  to  God. 
Believe  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  ye  shall  be 
saved.  Trust  in  Him  for  salvation,  for  He  is  faith- 
ful who  has  promised.  God  has  never  said  to  any 
seek  ye  my  face  in  vain.  By  the  love  and  mercy  of 
God,  by  the  terrors  of  the  judgment,  by  the  sympathy 
and  compassion  of  Jesus,  I  entreat  you,  my  fellow- 
prisoners,  to  seek  an  interest,  a  present  interest,  in 
the  great  salvation  ! 

I  close  for  the  present.  We  shall  never  all  engage 
in  divine  service  together  again  on  earth.  We  sepa- 
rate— some  to  go  to  a  distant  prison,  and  some  to 
death.  May  God  grant  that  when  we  are  done  with 
earthly  scenes,  we  may  all  meet  in  the  realms  of  bliss, 


412  TUPELO. 

where  there  is  in  God's  presence  fulness  of  joy,  and 
at  his  right  hand  pleasures  forevermore !  And  may 
the  love  of  God,  the  grace  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
and  the  communion  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  rest  and 
abide  with  us,  and  all  the  Israel  of  God,  now,  hence- 
forth, and  forever,  Amen ! 

The  following  hymn  was  then  sung : 

In  the  sun,  and  nioon,  and  stars, 

Signs  and  wonders  there  shall  be; 
Earth  shall  quake  with  inward  wars, 

Nations  with  perplexity. 

Soon  shall  ocean's  hoary  deep, 

Tossed  with  stronger  tempests,  rise; 

Wilder  storms  the  mountains  sweep, 
Louder  thunders  rock  the  skies. 

Dread  alarms  shall  shake  the  proud, 

Pale  amazement,  restless  fear; 
And,  amid  the  thunder-cloud, 

Shall  the  Judge  of  men  appear. 

But  though  from  his  awful  face, 

Heaven  shall  fade,  and  earth  shall  fly. 

Fear  not  ye,  his  chosen  race, 
Your  redemption  draweth  nigh. 

I  preached  longer  than  I  had  intended,  having 
become  so  fully  engrossed  with  the  subject  as  to  for- 
get my  chains  and  my  frustrated  plans.  My  fellow- 
prisoners  were  listening  apparently  with  interest; 
great  solemnity  prevailed,  and  penitential  tears 
were  flowing.  It  was  evident  that  the  Spirit  of  the 
living  God  was  in  our  midst;  and  though  danger 
and  death  were  before  our  eyes,  the  consolations  of 


TUPELO.  413 

the  glorious  gospel  of  the  blessed  God  caused  our  peace 
to  flow  like  a  river.  The  precious  seed  was  sown 
in  tears.  May  we  not  entertain  a  good  hope  that  he 
who  cast  the  seed  into  this  soil,  prepared  by  affliction, 
shall  come  again  with  rejoicing,  bringing  his  sheaves 
with  him. 

DIES  IR^. 

Day  of  wrath!  that  awful  day 
Shall  the  world  in  ashes  lay, 
Sacred  seers  and  heathen  say. 

What  a  trembling  there  will  be 
When  the  Judge  on  earth  they  see 
Making  strictest  scrutiny. 

Trumpet  sending  awful  sound, 
Through  the  tombs  beneath  the  ground 
Summons  all  the  throne  around. 

Death  and  nature  stand  in  dread 
When  arise  the  millions  dead 
At  the  Judge's  bar  to  plead. 

In  the  record  shall  be  sought 
Every  deed,  and  word,  and  thought, 
And  a  world  to  judgment  brought. 

When  the  Judge  sits  shall  be  seen 
All  the  hidden  deeds  of  men — 
^Taught  shall  go  unpunished  then. 

What  shall  wretched  I  then  say, 
W*hom  secure  to  help  my  plea, 
When  the  just  scarce  saved  be? 

King  of  Majesty  severe, 

Who  Thine  own  dost  freely  clear, 

Save  me,  Fount  of  Pity,  spare  ! 


414  TUPELO. 

Think,  Lord  !  'twas  for  me  astray 
Thou  didst  tread  life's  weary  way. 
Let  me  not  be  lost  that  day. 

Sitting  tired  Thou  still  hast  sought, 
On  the  cross  my  pardon  bought; 
Shall  such  labor  be  for  naught? 

Judge  of  vengeance,  just  the  fount, 

0  remit  the  great  amount 
Ere  the  day  of  strict  account. 

1  accept  the  sinner's  place, 
Guilty  shame  o'erspreads  my  face; 
Give,  Lord,  to  the  suppliant,  grace. 

Thou  Who  Mary  hast  forgiven, 
To  the  robber  openedst  heaven, 
Even  hope  to  me  hast  given. 

Though  I  pray  unworthily, 
Set,  I  pray  Thee  graciously, 
Me  from  fire  eternal  free. 

With  the  sheep  a  place  I  pray, 
Keep  me  from  the  goats  away, 
At  Thine  own  right  hand  to  stay. 

When  the  cursed,  their  shame  confessing, 
Eager  flames  are  sore  distressing, 
Come  to  me  then  with  a  blessing. 

Pray  I  suppliant  and  prone, 
Heart  abashed  as  ashes  grown, 
Leave  me  not  at  last  alone. 

On  that  day  of  srad  surprise, 
When  from  ashes  shall  arise 
Guilty  man  to  judgment  come, 
Keep  me  from  the  dreadful  doom. 

THOMAS  CELANO. 


TUPELO.  415 


AMERICAN  SLAVERY  AS  IT  NOW  STANDS  REVEALED 
TO  THE  WORLD. 

(From  Good  Words,  edited  by  Norman  McLeod,  D.D.,  and  published  in 
Edinburgh  and  Glasgow,  Scotland.] 

Whatever  may  be  yet  the  issue  of  the  American 
conflict,  it  will  have  done  two  great  things, — it  will 
have  cast  a  flood  of  light  upon  the  condition  of  the 
American  slaves, — it  will  have  given  freedom  to  great 
masses  of  them,  if  not  to  all. 

Until  the  secession  war  broke  out,  the  means  of 
accurately  ascertaining  the  positive  conditions  of  the 
slave  in  the  United  States  were  scanty,  and  to  a  great 
extent  doubtful.  On  the  one  hand,  we  had  the  rep- 
resentations of  masters  and  of  their  friends.  These 
were  always  likely  to  be  warped  by  self-interest; 
even  when  most  sincerely  meant,  to  exhibit  but  a 
portion  of  the  truth.  In  all  countries  the  best  em- 
ployers are  the  most  accessible,  the  most  willing  to 
come  forward  in  testimony  of  the  condition  of  the 
employed ;  yet  none  are  generally  more  ignorant  of 
the  worst  practices  used  in  their  trade.  How  much 
more  must  this  be  the  case  in  the  slave  system, 
where  every  possible  malpractice  in  the  employment 
of  labor  must  be  intensified  a  hundredfold,  by  the 
practically  absolute  powers  of  the  master,  and  by  the 
darkness  with  which  he  has  the  right  to  surround 
his  proceedings.  Here  evidently  those  who  come 
into  the  light  of  publicity  will  be  those  only  who 


416  TUPELO. 

have  no  cause,  or  think  they  have  no  cause,  to  fear 
it ;  and  who,  living  in  comparative  light  themselves, 
have  no  idea  of  what  may  be  passing  in  the  dens  of 
darkness  around  them.  The  tendency  of  slave-own- 
ing is,  moreover,  emphatically  one  of  insulation. 
The  best  of  slave-owners  as  well  as  the  worst  would 
fain  have  never  a  neighbor,  since  all  intercourse  with 
other  plantations  tends  to  undermine  either  the  slave- 
owner's moral  or  his  physical  authority. 

Now  slavery  has  come  to  be  seen  at  once  in  all  its 
breadth  and  in  all  its  detail.  Where  formerly  it 
could  only  be  outlined  or  lightly  sketched  from  a  few 
points  of  view,  it  may  now  be  photographed  in  its 
minutest  features,  and  from  every  point.  The  mass 
of  testimony  is  overwhelming,  and  may  be  checked 
and  counterchecked  from  white  to  black  and  from 
black  to  white  to  any  extent.  But  an  ugly  picture 
it  offers,  look  at  it  how  and  whence  you  will.  For 
the  result  of  all  this  mass  of  new  evidence  is  simply 
this, — that  the  worst  that  has  been  hitherto  said  by 
isolated  voices  against  American  slavery,  has  been 
abundantly  confirmed  ;  that  the  distant  picture  of  it 
has  turned  out  faint  and  pale  beside  the  reality ;  that 
contact  with  the  "patriarchal  institution,"  so  far 
from  converting  one  sincere  abolitionist  from  the 
errors  of  his  ways,  or  confounding  one  dishonest  one, 
has  turned  into  ardent  abolitionists,  hundreds  and 
thousands  of  men  who,  when  they  first  went  down 
South,  were  avowedly  strong  pro-slavery  men. 

The  legal  elements  of  the  slave's  condition  have 


TUPELO.  417 

long  since  been  known.  They  are  all  mainly 
summed  up  in  this  :  He  is  not  a  person,  but  a  thing  ; 
at  least  as  towards  his  master,  he  or  she  has  no  signal 
honor,  no  family  ties.  There  is  no  punishment  un- 
der any  of  the  southern  slave-codes  for  the  worst  out- 
rage by  a  master  on  a  slave  woman's  virtue,  on  a 
slave  man's  marriage-tie ;  no  legal  limit  to  the  uses 
to  which  he  may  put  either.  The  slave  has  no 
rights  of  property;  is  legally  forbidden  to  develop 
his  intellect  by  education. 

Instead  of  saying,  Because  slaves  are  property  they 
will  be  well  treated,  the  true  reasoning  is,  Because 
slaves  are  property,  therefore  they  will  be  ill-treated, 
therefore  they  will  surely  call  forth  against  them  in 
many  an  instance  every  latent  capacity  of  absolute 
devilhood  which  lies  in  the  master's  bosom. 

Are  you  sorry  that  this  should  be  so  ?  God  forbid. 
As  is  the  tree,  so  is  its  fruit.  Thank  God  that  men 
do  not  gather  grapes  of  thorns,  or  figs  of  thistles ! 
else  would  they  allow  the  whole  world  to  be  over- 
spread of  them.  Let  the  thorn  tear,  let  the  thistle 
prick,  that  man  may  know  that  they  are  there  simply 
to  be  fought  with  and  rooted  out. 

Now  the  worst  side  of  slavery  is  no  doubt  the 
moral  side  of  it.  Though  it  had  no  evil  physical 
side  to  it,  it  would  yet  be  abominable.  Though  ev- 
ery slave  had  plenty  to  eat,  plenty  to  drink,  good 
shelter,  good  clothing,  moderate  work,  skillful  care 
in  sickness,  it  is  yet  hideous  that  a  man  should  not 
be  a  man,  a  husband  not  a  husband,  a  father  not  a 
27 


418  TUPELO. 

father.  But  the  war  has  shown  that  the  physical 
maltreatment  of  slaves  was  anything  but  a  rare 
exception. 

An  officer,  writing  from  Louisiana  to  the  Boston 
Transcript,  stated  that  not  one  recruit  "in  fifteen  is 
free  from  marks  of  severe  lashing,"  and  that  "  more 
than  one-half  *  *  are  rejected"  (the  rejections 
being  themselves  more  than  half  of  the  number  that 
offer)  "  because  of  disability,  arising  from  lashing  of 
whips,  and  biting  of  dogs  on  their  calves  and 
thighs;"  whilst  Mr.  Wesley  Richards,  a  surgeon, 
writing  May  25,  1863,  to  the  Cincinnati  Free  Nation, 
after  examining  about  700  recruits,  says  that  "at 
least  one-half  bore  evidence  of  having  been  severely 
whipped  and  maltreated  in  various  ways;"  some 
"  stabbed  with  a  knife,  others  shot  through  the  limbs, 
some  wounded  with  clubs  until  their  bones  were 
broken,"  and  others  had  their  hamstrings  cut  to  pre- 
vent their  running  off.  And  General  Saxton,  in 
command  of  the  Department  of  the  South  (compris- 
ing South  Carolina,  Georgia,  Florida),  on  being  exam- 
ined before  the  "  Freedmen's  Inquiry  Commission," 
stated  that  there  was  scarcely  one  of  the  negroes 
whose  back  was  not  "  covered  with  scars."  East 
and  West,  it  will  be  seen,  the  testimony  is  the  same. 

The  Rev.  William  Taylor,  in  a  pamphlet  on  the 
"  Cause  and  probable  results  of  the  Civil  War  in 
America,"  relates  the  following,  which  has  the  ad- 
vantage of  showing  the  patriarchal  institution  under 
its  "pious"  aspect: 


TUPELO.  419 

"A  dear  friend  of  mine,  in  my  native  county,  in 
the  Shenaudoah  Valley,  Virginia,  was  passing  the 
house  of  a  neighbor,  and  saw  in  the  barn-yard,  sus- 
pended from  a  beam  *  *  *  a  colored  woman 
hung  up  by  her  hands.  She  was  nearly  naked,  had 
been  whipped  until  she  was  unable  to  moan  aloud, 
and  had  an  ear  of  Indian  corn  stuck  in  her  mouth 
as  a  gag.  In  that  condition  she  was  left  hanging  till 
her  master  should  take  his  breakfast,  and  have  fam- 
ily prayers.  My  friend  went  in  to  see  him,  and 
remonstrated  in  vain  to  have  her  taken  down,  till 
after  the  family  devotions  were  over.  *  *  *  This 
pious  (?)  family  I  knew  well,  and  their  three  children, 
William,  Arthur,  and  Adeline,  were  taught  authority 
between  the  ages  of  five  and  ten  years  by  being  set  to 
whip  the  said  poor  woman  at  will,  and  she  was  beaten 
and  scarred  up  so  as  to  present  a  most  unnatural  and 
hideous  appearance." 

But  these  are  only  the  milder  mercies  of  the  east- 
ern seaboard.  We  must  go  to  the  dreaded  Southwest 
to  find  the  lashings  carried  to  the  pitch  of  disabling 
the  sufferer — the  stabbings,  shootings,  poundings  of 
limbs  with  clubs,  cuttings  of  hamstrings,  of  which 
the  surgeons  speak.  Yet  the  surgeons  had  nothing 
to  say  but  to  men,  and  those  living  ones.  In  God's 
avenging  hosts,  which  we  see  not,  there  may  be  other 
and  more  helpless  recruits.  The  Rev.  Mr.  Aughey, 
who  was  a  minister  in  Mississippi  at  the  outbreak  of 
secession,  in  a  work  called  the  "  Iron  Furnace,"  tells 
of  some  of  these.  "Mr.  Pipkin,  who  resided  near 


420  TUPELO. 

Holly  Springs  (Mississippi),  had  a  negro  woman 
whipped  to  death  while  I  was  at  his  house  during  a 
Session  of  Presbytery.  Mr.  Cole,  of  Waterford, 
Mississippi,  had  a  woman  whipped  to  death  by  his 
overseer.  But  such  cruel  scourgings  are  of  daily 
occurrence.  *  *  *  Mrs.  Frederick  recently 
whipped  a  boy  to  death  within  a  half  a  mile  of  my 
residence.  Old  Mr.  Cole,  of  Waterford,  Mississippi," 
(apparently  the  same  patriarch  as  before  referred  to) 
"punished  his  negroes  by  slitting  the  soles  of  their  feet 
with  his  bowie-knife.  One  man  he  put  into  a  cotton- 
press,  and  turned  the  screw  until  life  was  extinct. 
He  stated  that  he  only  intended  to  alarm  the  man,  but 
carried  the  joke  too  far."  Of  course  the  laws  which 
exist  in  every  state  against  the  murder  or  torturing  of 
slaves  are  about  as  well  observed  as  might  be  laws 
enacted  by  wolves  against  sheep-murder,  and  pro- 
viding that  between  wolf  and  sheep  no  sheep  could 
be  witness.  Sometimes,  indeed,  in  this  black  South- 
west, some  peculiarly  atrocious  excess  of  patriarchal- 
ism  raises  the  horror  even  of  the  white  crowd,  and 
the  offender  is  lynched  or  his  or  her  home  burnt 
down.  But  in  no  single  one  of  the  instances  above 
quoted  do  we  find  that  any  punishment  was  inflicted. 
When  Mrs.  Frederick,  of  Mississippi,  whipped  her 
slave  boy  to  death,  the  coroner's  jury  returned  a  ver- 
dict of  death  by  cruelty ;  but  Mr.  Aughey  expressly 
states  that  "  nothing  more  was  done." 

In  the  real  South  the  lash  is  evidently  a  regular  daily 
element  of  the  institution.  "lam  residing,"  writes  Mr. 


TUPELO.  421 

Aughey,  "  on  the  banks  of  the  Yockanookany.  *  * 
In  this  vicinity  there  are  large  plantations,  cultivated 
by  hundreds  of  negroes.  *  *  *  Every  night  the 
negroes  are  brought  to  a  judgment-seat.  The  over- 
seer presides.  If  they  have  not  labored  to  suit  him, 
or  if  their  task  is  unfulfilled,  they  are  chained  to  a 
post  and  severely  whipped."  Of  these  overseers  the 
writer  has  just  said:  "I  never  knew  a  pious  over- 
seer— never.  *  *  *  Overseers,  as  a  class,  are 
worse  than  slave-owners  themselves.  They  are  cruel, 
brutal,  licentious,  dissipated,  and  profane.  They 
always  carry  a  loaded  whip,  a  revolver,  and  a  bowie- 
knife."  Such  are  the  dispensers  of  the  Southern 
slave-owners'  justice.  Of  course  the  terror  they  ex- 
cite is  extreme  ;  and  the  writer  says  he  has  known  an 
instance  of  a  woman,  through  fright,  giving  birth  to 
a  child  at  the  whipping-post.  It  need  hardly  be  said 
that  it  is  at  the  option  of  the  overseer  to  strip  the 
slaves  to  any  extent.  "In  Louisiana,  women,  pre- 
paratory to  whipping,  are  often  stripped  to  a  state  of 
perfect  nudity."  Black  women  only,  some  aristocrat 
of  color  may  think.  "There  is  a  girl,"  said  one  Col- 
onel Hanna,  a  member  of  Mr.  Aughey's  church,  to 
the  latter,  "who  does  not  look  very  white  in  the  face, 
owing  to  exposure;  but  when  I  strip  her  to  whip  her, 
I  find  that  she  has  a  skin  as  fair  as  my  wife."  It  is 
thus  evidently  the  habit  of  these  Mississippi  patri- 
archs to  strip  and  whip  women  as  white  of  skin  as 
their  own  wives.  And  the  slaves  are  so  fond  of  the 
system  that  "every  night,"  Mr.  Aughey  tells  us,  "the 


422  TUPELO. 

Mississippi  woods  resound  with   the  deep-mouthed 
baying  of  the  blood-hounds." 

Remember  always,  that,  between  Virginia,  and 
even  South  Carolina,  on  the  one  hand,  and  the  South- 
west on  the  other,  every  intermediate  stage  must  be 
supposed  to  exist.  E.  g.,  Mr.  Taylor — a  Virginian, 
let  us  recollect,  of  the  Shenandoah  Valley,  whose 
wife  was  brought  up  in  Alabama — mentions  an  in- 
stance in  the  latter  state  where  a  master,  riding  home 
with  a  runaway,  flogged  the  latter  with  a  heavy 
whip  "  till  he  sunk  in  his  tracks,  and  died  within  a 
few  hours  ;"  whereupon  all  the  neighborhood  sympa- 
thized deeply  with  the  patriarch  who  had  lost  so  val- 
uable a  man,  and  deemed  the  accident  "a  warning  to 
niggers  to  stay  at  home  and  mind  their  own  business." 
"  One  beautiful  Sabbath  morning,"  says  Mr.  Aughey, 
"  I  stood  on  the  levee  at  Baton  Rouge,  Louisiana,  and 
counted  twenty-seven  sugar-houses  in  full  blast.  I 
found  that  the  negroes  were  compelled  to  labor  eigh- 
teen hours  per  day,  and  were  not  permitted  to  rest 
on  the  Sabbath  during  the  rolling  season.  The 
negroes  on  most  plantations  have  a  truck  patch,  which 
they  cultivate  on  the  Sabbath.  I  have  pointed  out 
the  sin  of  thus  laboring  on  the  Sabbath,  but  they 
plead  necessity ;  their  children,  they  state,  must  suffer 
from  hunger  if  they  did  not  cultivate  their  truck 
patch,  and  their  masters  would  not  give  them  time 
on  any  other  day."  But  even  where  the  work  is  not 
in  itself  so  severe,  it  is  made  oppressive  by  its  con- 
tinuousness.  Thus,  in  the  sea  islands,  where  the 


TUPELO.  423 

hours  of  work  were  from  daylight  to  five  P.M.,  there 
was  no  cessation  of  labor  allowed  for  meals,  and  the 
slave  must  eat  whatever  food  he  could  get  without 
leaving  off  his  hoeing  or  cotton  picking.  And  those 
who  are  most  overworked  are  of  course  the  weakest — 
those  least  able  to  bear  it — women  and  children. 

In  passing  from  the  physical  to  the  moral  aspects 
of  slavery,  we  are  met  by  the  great  difficulty  that  a 
large  portion  of  its  daily  working  consists  really  of 
things  such  as  should  not  be  named  among  Christian 
men.  It  is  difficult  for  us  to  realize  the  fact  that 
men  and  women  professing  to  be  Christians  should 
allow  other  men  and  women  around  them,  whom  they 
claim  as  their  own  property,  to  gratify  their  passions 
like  brute  beasts,  the  name  of  marriage  representing 
a  mere  temporary  relation.  In  the  sea  islands,  Cap- 
tain Hooper  bears  testimony  to  the  fact  that  "  many  of 
the  negro  men  have  two  or  three  wives,  and  children 
by  each."  The  masters,  it  is  distinctly  stated,  do  not 
care  whether  the  slave  women  are  married  or  not,  so 
long  as  they  have  children,  nor  have  they,  as  a  matter 
of  fact,  any  scruple  in  breaking  up  such  unions.  The 
wife  and  children  of  Solomon  Bradley,  an  "Uncle 
Tom"  among  the  Port  Royal  negroes,  were  sold  away 
some  years  ago,  and  he  never  expects  to  meet  with 
them  again.  -  Between  white  and  colored  it  is  a  prin- 
ciple of  law  throughout  the  slave  states  that  there  can 
be  no  legal  union.  But  the  number  of  mixed  bloods 
shows  that  the  white  man's  horror  of  "amalgama- 
tion" only  starts  into  vitality  within  the  church 


424  TUPELO. 

door.     On  Port  Royal  island  already  the  "yellow 
niggers  "  form  a  'considerable  part  of  the  population. 
"In  almost  all  the  schools/'  says  Mr.  Nordhoff,  "you 
find  children  with  blue  eyes  and  light  hair — oftenest 
yellow."     Yet  the  description  lists  found  at  Hilton 
Head  of  the  slaves  shipped  thence  showed  that  the 
greater  number  of  these  were  mixed  bloods.     Now 
as    such    shipments  are   almost  universally  for  the 
dreaded  South,  it  follows  that  the  "  patriarchs  "  and 
their  overseers  send  their  own  offspring  to  a  harsher 
slavery  than  that  around  themselves.     And,  owing 
partly  to  these  shipments  of  the  mixed  breeds,  partly 
to  the  more  unbridled   licentiousness  of  the  whites 
themselves,  it  appears  beyond  a  doubt  that   in  the 
South  and  Southwest  the  proportion  of  "white"  and 
"yellow  niggers"  is  far  higher  than  in  the  eastern 
states.     Mr.  Aughey  speaks  of  preaching  "to  a  large 
congregation  of  slaves,  the  third  of  whom  were  as 
white  as  himself,"  some  with  red  hair  and  blue  eyes. 
AVe  remember  that  slave  in  Mississippi  whose  skin, 
when  she  was  stripped  for  whipping,  was  as  white  as 
that  of  her  master's  wife.    Mr.  De  Camp,  the  surgeon 
above  referred  to,  speaks  of  having  seen  standing  be- 
fore him  three  negro  recruits,  in  whom  the  "the  most 
critical  examination   could    not  detect   the  slightest 
trace  of  negro  blood."     General  MacDow  says  that 
in  the  district  of  Louisiana  which  he  is  writing  from, 
there  are  very  few  slaves  of  unmixed  negro  blood.     It 
is  notorious  that  many  planters  have  families  of  white 
and  families  of  colored  children,  and  perhaps  give  the 


TUPELO.  425 

latter  to  wait  on  the  former.  Remember  always  that 
the  chastity  of  the  slave  has  no  legal  protection.  I 
cannot  here  enter  into  details ;  suffice  it  to  say  that 
the  slave  system  has  ere  this  enforced  incest  at  the 
will  of  the  master.  But,  without  descending  to  such 
horrors,  let  any  of  my  countrywomen  picture  to  her- 
self what  must  be  the  lot  of  women  (often,  as-  we 
have  seen,  as  white  as  herself)  placed  from  year's  end 
to  year's  end  under  the  absolute  control  of  an  over- 
seer such  as  Mr.  Aughey,  and  in  fact  almost  all  wit- 
nesses, describes — "cruel,  brutal,  licentious,"  always 
armed  with  the  loaded  whip,  the  bowie-knife,  and  the 
revolver — liable,  too,  at  any  time,  without  any  re- 
course under  heaven,  to  be  sold  or  hired  out  into 
harlotry,  as  is  practically  done  in  every  southern  city 
— and  then  say  whether  the  system  in  which  such 
things  are  possible  has  the  right  to  insult  God  and 
man  any  longer  by  its  existence. 

Treating  the  slave  thus  like  a  brute,  none  could  feel 
surprised  if  he  were  to  become  such.  The  colored 
witnesses  who  have  been  examined  before  the  Freed- 
men's  Inquiry  Commission  are  very  frank  on  the 
subject  of  the  moral  condition  of  their  race.  The 
slaves,  says  Robert  Small — a  bold  fellow,  who  ran  a 
steamer,  the  "  Planter,"  out  of  Charleston  Harbor, 
past  Sumter  and  its  dangers,  to  join  the  Federal  fleet, 
a  feat  which  Mr.  Nordhoff  calls  "  one  of  the  bravest 
and  most  brilliant  acts  of  the  war" — are  very  envious 
of  one  another,  cannot  bear  to  see  any  one  of  their 
number  advanced  to  any  position  which  all  cannot 


426  TUPELO. 

reach,  and  will  resort  to  any  means  in  their  power  to 
degrade  him.  They  are,  as  slaves,  selfish,  cowardly, 
untruthful,  thievish.  Though  they  have  strong 
religious  impulses,  their  religion  is  little  more  than 
sentiment.  Even  professedly  pious  slaves  have  often 
no  scruple  in  "taking"  from  their  masters — the  term 
"stealing"  being  reserved  for  thefts  as  between  them- 
selves— the  general  argument  being  that,  as  their 
masters  take  everything  from  them,  they  may  take 
back  what  they  can.  And  let  it  always  be  remem- 
bered that  the  negro  has  no  means  of  self-improve- 
ment. A  father  is  known  to  have  received  twenty 
lashes  for  teaching  his  son  to  read.  "In  Missis- 
sippi," says  Mr.  Aughey,  "  a  man  who  taught  slaves 
to  read  or  write  would  be  sent  to  the  penitentiary 
instanter."  As  a  matter  of  fact,  out  of  the  eight 
thousand  slaves  whom  the  occupation  of  Port  Royal 
threw  upon  the  hands  of  the  Federal  government, 
only  a  very  few  had  picked  up  the  elements  of  book 
learning,  and  a  couple  of  the  older  men  were  able 
actually  to  read.  And  whilst  the  means  of  self- 
instruction  are  forbidden  by  law,  religious  teaching 
is  entirely  subject  to  the  discretion  of  the  master.  If 
the  preacher  does  not  preach  sound  patriarchal  doc- 
trine he  is  either  hunted  out  of  slavedom  or  lynched 
within  it. 

The  jargon  used  by  the  slave  is  of  itself  sufficient 
proof  of  the  degradation  to  which  he  has  been  reduced. 
It  is  not,  like  the  dialects  and  patois  of  our  own  coun- 
try, of  France,  Germany,  Italy,  a  form  of  speech  prob- 


TUPELO.  427 

ably  coeval  with  the  language,  and  which  had  origi- 
nally as  good  a  chance  of  developing  into  the  stand- 
ard one.  It  is  a  mere  corruption  of  the  master's 
language,  the  fruit  of  estrangement  and  neglect. 

Such,  then,  is  southern  slavery,  as  it  now  stands 
thoroughly  revealed  to  the  world — a  system  which, 
aiming  at  treating  black  men  as  brutes,  not  only  suc- 
ceeds in  making  them  such,  but  generally  makes  two 
brutes  for  one — the  white  and  the  black.  Mr.  Aughey, 
after  an  experience  of  eleven  years  in  eight  different 
slave  states,  declares  that  he  has  "  never  yet  seen  any 
example  of  slavery "  that  he  did  not  "  deem  sinful." 
He  "cannot  do  otherwise  than  pronounce  it  an 
unmitigated  curse"  to  white  and  black  alike. 

There  is  but  one  touch  to  add  to  the  above  picture. 
Bad  as  it  was  in  itself,  slavery  was  getting  worse. 
South  Carolina — the  acknowledged  pioneer  of  seces- 
sion, which  tried  thirty  years  ago,  by  means  of  "  nul- 
lification," to  throw  off  the  control  of  the  Federal 
authority;  which  was  the  first  to  declare  actual  seces- 
sion, the  first  to  fire  upon  the  Federal  flag,  the  first 
to  reduce  a  Federal  fort  by  force  of  arms — is  a  state 
which,  as  one  of  tiie  luminaries  of  secession,  the  Hon. 
L.  W.  Spratt,  has  declared,  fairly  exhibits  "the  normal 
nature  of  the  institution  "  in  a  population  where  the 
slaves  outnumber  the  freemen  by  120,000.  Yet  in 
this  state  the  Freedmen's  Inquiry  Commissioners  em- 
phatically declare  slavery  "has  been  darkening  in  its 
shades  of  inhumanity  from  year  to  year."  They 
found  "conclusive  evidence  that  half  a  century  since 


428  TUPELO. 

its  phase  was  much  milder  than  now.  It  is  the  uni- 
form testimony  of  emancipated  freed  men  from  this 
state,  above  the  age  of  sixty,  that  in  their  youth 
slavery  was  a  merciful  and  considerate  system  com- 
pared with  what  it  has  been  for  thirty  years  past. 
These  old  men  are  bright  and  intelligent  compared 
with  the  younger  field  hands,  in  many  of  whom  a 
stolid,  sullen  despondency  attests  the  stupefying  in- 
fluence of  slave-driving  under  its  more  recent  phase." 
And  what  is  true  of  South  Carolina  is  true  of  all 
the  South.  Within  the  last  quarter  of  a  century  es- 
pecially, slavery,  from  a  mere  practice,  has  grown 
into  a  system  and  a  creed.  Its  economic  powers  have 
been  calculated  to  the  last  figure.  It  has  reckoned 
exactly  what  work  could  be  got  out  of  a  man  at  every 
species  of  labor — how  many  years  he  should  "  last"  at 
cotton-growing,  how  many  at  rice-growing,  how 
many  at  sugar-growing,  etc. ;  the  relative  advantages 
of  driving  him — i.e.f  killing  him  off  quick — or  hus- 
banding his  strength,  have  been  discussed ;  and  food, 
clothing,  shelter,  have  been  regulated  with  reference 
to  the  data  obtained.  On  the  other  hand — since  by 
one  of  the  most  inflexible,  most  awful,  yet  most  sal- 
utary, rules  of  God's  government,  those  who  "  set  up 
their  idols  in  their  heart,  and  put  the  stumbling-block 
of  their  iniquity  before  their  face,"  when  they  inquire 
of  the  Lord,  shall  always  be  answered  "according  to 
the  multitude  of  their  idols,"  so  the  South,  proclaim- 
ing the  evil  thing  slavery  to  be  good,  has  thought  to 
find  its  consecration  even  in  that  Book  which  is  a 


TUPELO.  429 

message  to  all  mankind  of  deliverance  from  every 
shape  of  bondage ;  and  it  has  hardened  itself  in  this 
faith,  and  its  priests  and  prophets  have  been  deceived 
of  the  Lord  to  speak  lies  in  its  ears,  to  prophesy  unto 
it  the  smooth  things  which  it  loved,  till  at  last,  in  its 
devilish  pride,  unable  to  brook  the  very  contact  of 
freedom,  it  turned  away  as  from  an  accursed  tiling, 
and  would  fain  set  up  its  own  model  republic,  based, 
said  its  vice  president,  "  upon  the  great  truth  that  the 
negro  is  not  equal  to  the  white  man ;  that  slavery, 
subordination  to  the  superior  race,  is  his  natural  and 
moral  condition." 

And  then  were  seen  upon  the  walls  of  slavery's 
palace  fingers  of  a  man's  hand,  writing  "  Mene,  mene, 
Tekel  *  *  Then  struck  for  the  Southern  slave 

an  hour  such  as  his  friends  afar  off  had  scarcely  hoped 
to  see,  but  which,  with  blind  God-sent  instinct,  he 
seems  himself  to  have  been  long  waiting  for.  From 
the  moment  that  the  secession  flag  was  raised,  slavery, 
as  all  see  now,  was  doomed. 

And  while  we  may  admire  the  gallantry  with  which 
the  southern  slave-holders  have  carried  on  the  contest 
with  the  North ;  and  may  do  full  justice  to  the  purity 
of  the  motives  which  led  a  Stonewall  Jackson  into 
the  thick  of  so  many  a  fight,  we  must  remember  that 
the  heroic  defense  of  Vicksburg  or  Sumter  no  more 
palliates  southern  slavery  than  did  the  heroic  defense 
of  Jerusalem  by  the  Jews  palliate  the  crucifixion  of 
our  Lord. 

J.  M.  LUDLOW. 

December,  1863. 


430  TUPELO. 

THE  DEATH  OF  SLAVERY. 
WILLIAM   CULLEN   BRYANT. 

O  thou  great  wrong  that  through  the  slow-paced  years, 
Didst  hold  thy  millions  fettered,  and  didst  wield 
The  scourge  that  drove  the  laborer  to  the  field, 
And  turn  a  stony  gaze  on  human  tears, 

Thy  cruel  reign  is  o'er  ; 

Thy  bondmen  crouch  no  more 
In  terror  at  the  menace  of  thine  eye  ; 
For  He  who  marks  the  bounds  of  guilty  power, 
Long  suffering  hath  heard  the  captive's  cry 
And  touched  his  shackles  at  the  appointed  hour, 
And  lo  !  they  fall,  and  he  whose  limbs  they  galled 
Stands  in  his  native  manhood  disenthralled. 

A  shout  of  joy  from  the  redeemed  is  sent  : 
Ten  thousand  hamlets  swell  the  hymn  of  thanks  ; 
Our  rivers  roll  exulting  and  their  banks 
Send  up  hosannas  to  the  firmament ! 

Fields  where  the  bondman's  toil 

No  more  shall  trench  the  soil, 
Seem  now  to  bask  in  a  serener  day  ; 
The  meadow-birds  sing  sweeter,  and  the  airs 
Of  heaven  with  more  caressing  softness  play, 
Welcoming  man  to  liberty  like  theirs. 
A  glory  clothes  the  land  from  sea  to  sea, 
For  the  great  land  and  all  its  coasts  are  free. 

Within  that  land  wert  thou  enthroned  of  late, 
And  they  by  whom  the  nation's  laws  were  made, 
And  they  who  filled  its  judgment  seats  obeyed 
Thy  mandate,  rigid  as  the  will  of  fate. 

Fierce  men  at  thy  right  hand 

With  gesture  of  command, 

Gave  forth  the  word  that  none  might  dare  gainsay  ; 
And  grave  and  reverend  ones  who  loved  thee  not 
Shrank  from  thy  presence,  and  in  blank  dismay 
Choked  down  unuttered  the  rebellious  thought, 


TUPELO.  431 

While  meaner  cowards  mingling  with  thy  train, 
Proved  from  the  book  of  God  thy  right  to  reign. 

Great  as  thou  wert  and  feared  from  shore  to  shore, 
The  wrath  of  heaven  o'ertook  thee  in  thy  pride  : 
Thou  sitt'st  a  ghostly  shadow  :  by  thy  side 
Thy  once  strong  arms  hang  nerveless  evermore. 

And  they  who  quailed  but  now 

Before  thy  lowering  brow 
Devote  thy  memory  to  scorn  and  shame, 
And  scoff  at  the  pale  powerless  thing  thou  art, 
And  they  who  ruled  in  thy  imperial  name, 
Subdued,  and  standing  sullenly  apart, 
Scowled  at  the  hands  that  overthrew  thy  reign 
And  shattered  at  a  blow  the  prisoner's  chain. 

Well  was  thy  doom  deserved  ;  thou  didst  not  spare 
Life's  tenderest  ties,  but  cruelly  didst  part 
Husband  and  wife,  and  from  the  mother's  heart 
Didst  wrest  her  children,  deaf  to  shriek  and  prayer ; 

Thy  inner  lair  became 

The  haunt  of  guilty  shame  ; 

Thy  lash  dropped  blood  ;  the  murderer  at  thy  side, 
Showed  his  red  hands,  nor  feared  the  vengeance  due. 
Thou  didst  sow  earth  with  crimes,  and  far  and  wide, 
A  harvest  of  uncounted  miseries  grew 
Until  the  measure  of  thy  sins  at  last 
Was  full,  and  then  the  avenging  bolt  was  cast ! 

Go  now  accursed  of  God,  and  take  thy  place 
With  hateful  memories  of  the  elder  time, 
With  many  a  wasting  plague,  and  nameless  crime, 
And  bloody  jvar  that  thinned  the  human  race  ; 

With  the  Black  Death,  whose  way 

Through  wailing  cities  lay, 
Worship  of  Moloch,  tyrannies  that  built 
The  Pyramids,  and  cruel  deeds  that  taught 
To  avenge  a  fancied  guilt  by  deeper  guilt — 
Death  at  the  stake  to  them  that  held  them  not. 


432  TUPELO. 

Lo !  The  foul  phantoms,  silent  in  the  gloom 
Of  the  flown  ages,  part  to  yield  thee  room. 

I  see  the  better  years  that  hasten  by 

Carry  thee  back  into  the  shadowy  past, 

Where,  in  the  dusty  spaces,  void  and  vast, 

The  graves  of  those  whom  thou  hast  murdered  lie. 

The  slave-pen,  through  whose  door 

Thy  victims  pass  no  more, 

Is  there,  and  there  shall  the  grim  block  remain 
At  which  the  slave  was  sold  ;  while  at  thy  feet 
Scourges  and  engines  of  restraint  and  pain 
Moulder  and  rust  by  thine  eternal  seat. 
There,  mid  the  symbols  that  proclaim  thy  crimes, 
Dwell  thou  a  warning  to  the  coming  times. 
May,  1866. 

MEMORIAL   SERVICE. 

Eev.  J.  H.  Aughey,  Commander  of  Geo.  Hunter 
Post,  No.  145,  G.  A.  R.,  will  deliver  the  annual  sermon 
preceding  memorial  day,  on  Sunday,  May  14th,  at 
10:30  A.M.  in  the  Presbyterian  church.  Geo.  Hun- 
ter Post  will  attend  in  a  body  and  members  of  Co. 
A,  7th  Regt.,  are  requested  to  meet  at  the  Hall  at  10 
o'clock  to  march  to  the  church  to  attend  service. 

The  following  prayer  was  offered  before  the 
sermon  : 

Almighty  God,  humbly  we  come  before  Thee,  our 
Creator,  Preserver,  Guide,  and  Protector.  We  thank 
Thee  for  our  lives,  for  the  mercy  that  has  kept  us 
until  this  hour;  for  Thy  guidance  in  our  marches  by 
day  and  by  night ;  for  Thy  constant  care  in  the  hour 
of  danger,  and  for  the  preservation  of  our  nation?:! 


TUPELO. 


integrity  and  unity.  We  thank  Thee  that  so  many 
of  us  have  been  permitted  by  Thy  providence  to 
assemble  here  this  day  to  worship  Thee,  and  to  meet 
our  former  companions  in  arms  and  to  rejoice  with 
them  that  war's  deadly  blast  has  blown  by  and  that 
gentle  peace  has  returned,  and  that  Thou  didstr  grant 
the  victory  to  those  who  contended  for  human  rights 
and  national  integrity  and  for  the  subversion  of  re- 
bellion by  the  re-establishment  of  constitutional  law 
and  national  supremacy.  Be  graciously  near  to  our 
comrades  who  suffer  from  disease  or  wounds  and  to 
the  widows  and  orphans  of  those  who  fell  in  our 
holy  cause.  In  all  distress  comfort  them,  and  give 
us  willing  hearts  and  ready  hands  to  supply  their 
needs.  Grant  that  the  memory  of  our  noble  dead, 
who  so  freely  gave  their  lives  for  the  land  they  loved, 
may  dwell  ever  in  our  hearts.  God  bless  our  coun- 
try. Bless  all  its  loyal  defenders  and  well  wishers. 
Ever  subvert  rebellion  and  all  traitorous  designs 
•against  the  land  we  love  the  best.  Keep  our  names 
on  the  roll  of  Thy  servants,  and  at  last  receive  us 
into  that  better  country,  where  there  is  fullness  of 
joy,  and  at  Thy  right  hand  pleasures  forevermore, 
where  Thou  art  the  Supreme  Commander.  We  ask 
all  in  the  name  of  Jesus  Christ,  our  Lord,  Amen  : 

The  following  is  the  sermon  of  Rev.  J  H.  Aughey 
at  tha  Presbyterian  church,  Farmington,  Hi.  Geo. 
Hunter  Post  and  Co.  A,  Militia,  attended  en  masse: 

"And   the  soldiers  likewise  demanded   of  Him, 
saying,  and  what  shall  we  do?"    Luke  iii.  14.     The 
28 


4*34  TUPELO. 

word  of  the  Lord  came  to  John  the  Baptist  in  the 
wilderness  and  he  came  into  all  the  country  about 
Jordan  preaching  the  baptism  of  repentance  for  the 
remission  of  sins.  His  words  were  in  demonstration 
of  the  Spirit  and  in  power.  The  Jewish  church 
was  asleep,  vital  piety  was  well-nigh  extinct.  They 
were  resting  in  forms.  Though  strict  in  the  observ- 
ance of  ceremonial  law,  they  knew  nothing  experi- 
mentally of  true  repentance,  a  turning  from  sin  unto 
God.  Supreme  love  of  God  and  equal  love  of  their 
fellow  men  formed  no  part  of  their  creed.  John  the 
Baptist  announced  himself  as  the  forerunner  of  the 
Messiah  whom  the  Jews  were  now  expecting.  His 
strange  aspect,  coarse  apparel,  manner  of  life,  start- 
ling doctrine,  intense  earnestness,  and  his  unflagging 
zeal,  attracted  universal  attention.  Multitudes  flocked 
to  his  ministry  and  heard  him  enunciate  truths  to 
which  they  had  been  strangers.  Many  were  con- 
vinced and  convicted,  and  professing  repentance  were 
baptized.  Seeing  the  Scribes  and  Pharisees  in  at-' 
tendance  upon  his  ministry,  whose  traits  of  character 
were  hypocrisy,  falsehood,  and  avarice,  he  exclaimed^ 
Oh !  generation  of  vipers,  who  hath  warned  you  to 
flee  from  the  wrath  to  come.  Plain,  pungent  preach- 
ing, but  presenting  a  true  description  of  their  char- 
acter. He  then  instructs  them  in  duty.  Bring  forth 
fruits  meet  for  repentance.  The  people  then  wished 
to  learn  their  duty,  and  he  enjoins  charity.  The 
man  that  has  clothing  and  food  must  impart  to  him 
that  is  destitute.  When  the  tax-gatherers  made  the 


TUPELO.  435 

inquiry,  what  must  we  do,  he  informed  them  that 
they  must  exact;  no  more  than  that  which  is  appointed 
them.  The  sin  of  fraud  or  extortion  was  the  one  to 
which  they  were  addicted  and  they  needed  special  in- 
struction on  this  point.  Then  came  the  soldiers  and 
made  the  inquiry  of  the  text,  and  what  shall  we  do? 
They  had  professed  repentance  and  desired  baptism, 
and  they  wished  to  learn  what  were  the  fruits  meet 
for  repentance  in  their  case.  Repentance  includes 
faith  and  true  faith  includes  repentance.  When  the 
convicted  sinner  comes  to  the  minister  or  Christian 
layman  for  instruction,  saying,  men  and  brethren 
what  must  we  do  ?  The  answer  must  invariably  be 
given,  believe  on  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  and  thou 
shalt  be  saved.  God,  the  proprietor  of  salvation, 
has  the  right  to  ordain  the  condition  upon  which  he 
will  bestow  it.  He  has  done  this,  making  no  other 
condition  than  that  of  simple  faith.  Faith  comes 
without  money  and  without  merit,  and  appropriates 
all  the  blessings  of  the  everlasting  covenant.  Faith 
honors  God,  it  takes  Him  at  His  word.  It  believes 
in  the  sincerity  of  his  offer  and  accepts  His  mercy. 
Faith  realizes  the  inability  of  paying  the  purchase 
price  of  salvation,  and  rejoices  that  it  is  freely 
offered.  Were  it  otherwise  it  would  be  impossible 
to  the  sons^of  men.  Nor  does  faith  plume  itself  on 
its  own  merit,  for  it  recognizes  the  fact  that  it  is 
merely  a  receptive  grace  and  he  who  exercises  it  is 
no  more  deserving  than  the  beggar  who  accepts  the 
4ilms  of  the  beneficent.  Faith  is  not  a  simple  reception 


436  TUPELO. 

of  testimony  concerning  Christ.  It  is  a  grace  which 
is  the  gift  of  God.  It  is  a  new  operative  vital  prin- 
ciple in  the  soul.  It  works  by  love.  It  is  divinely 
energetic.  Faith  is  a  depending,  self-emptying,  self- 
denying  grace,  and  casts  every  crown  before  the 
throne.  Unbelief  is  a  habit  of  the  mind,  formed  in 
opposition  to  the  instincts  of  man's  moral  nature,  and 
is  a  sin  against  the  soul.  It  is  a  sin  against  the 
remedy,  and  by  its  very  nature  precludes  salvation. 
Faith  is  a  belief  of  the  precepts  and  implicit  trust  in 
the  promises.  Faith  in  Jesus  Christ  is  a  saving 
grace,  whereby  we  receive  and  rest  on  Him  alone  for 
salvation  as  He  is  offered  to  us  in  the  gospel.  The 
soul  is  the  life  of  the  body,  faith  is  the  life  of  the 
soul,  and  Jesus  Christ  is  the  life  of  faith.  God  is 
good  and  wise  and  faithful  and  true.  He  is  omni- 
present and  omnipotent.  We  may  implicitly  trust 
in  one  possessing  all  these  attributes.  We  would 
be  verily  guilty  of  a  great  sin  to  do  otherwise.  A 
commander  in  the  army  who  was  good,  wise,  brave, 
and  always  sought  to  promote  the  best  interests  of 
the  soldiers  in  his  command,  deserved  the  obedience 
and  esteem  of  them  all,  and  the  soldier  who  was 
guilty  of  insubordination  deserved  punishment  to  the 
extent  of  his  demerit.  Those  who  disobey  the  King 
of  Kings,  much  more  deserve  punishment. 

John  the  Baptist  said  to  the  soldiers,  do  violence 
to  no  man,  neither  accuse  any  falsely,  and  be  content 
with  your  wages.  What  glorious  fruits  would  fol- 
low obedience  to  these  injunctions.  Discipline  is 


TUPELO.  437 

essentially  necessary.  A  regiment  of  well  disciplined 
soldiers  will  put  to  flight  twenty  thousand  undis- 
ciplined men.  Without  discipline  an  army  is  a  mere 
rabble  of  little  worth  when  confronting  an  enemy. 
In  order  to  proper  discipline,  the  recruit  must  study 
military  tactics  and  attend  drill  regularly.  The 
Christian  soldier  must  to  this  end  study  the  Bible. 
There  he  learns  all  about  the  wiles  and  stratagems 
of  his  enemies  and  how  to  circumvent  them.  He 
learns  what  is  duty  on  the  march  and  in  the  camp. 
He  learns  all  about  the  necessary  armor  and  how  to  se- 
cure it.  He  learns  the  use  of  the  sandals,  the  breast- 
plate, the  helmet,  the  girdle,  the  shield,  and  the 
sword.  He  in  this  way  becomes  a  good  soldier  of 
Jesus  Christ.  He  learns  not  to  entangle  himself 
with  the  affairs  of  this  life,  that  he  may  please  Him 
who  has  called  him  to  be  a  soldier. 

The  remembrance  of  past  perils  and  hardships 
forge  indissoluble  bonds  of  friendship.  Together 
you  followed  Sherman  to  the  sea.  Together  you 
stormed  and  carried  the  heights  of  Lookout  Mountain 
and  gained  a  glorious  victory  on  Mission  Ridge. 
Side  by  side  you  entered  Fort  Fisher  and  placed  the 
starry  banner  upon  its  ramparts,  deemed  impregnable 
by  its  defenders.  Animated  by  the  same  spirit  you 
turned  the  tide  of  battle  at  Five  Forks,  and  grandly 
assaulted  and  captured  the  MalakofFs  and  Redans  that 
formed  the  frowning  battlements  of  Petersburg. 
Together  standing  upon  the  sumit  of  Round  Top  you 
repelled  the  fierce  onset  of  Lee's  veterans  and  made 


438  TUPELO 

the  field  of  Gettysburg  grandly  historic.  Facing  the 
grape  and  canister  and  screaming  shell  and  bursting 
bomb,  the  leaden  rain  and  iron  hail,  you  followed  the 
starry  banner  in  company  on  many  a  well  fought  field 
till  victory  perched  upon  your  standards,  until  your 
country's  liberty  and  integrity  were  preserved  intact 
beyond  the  shadow  of  a  doubt,  the  possibility  of  a 
peradventure,  then  you  marched  home  arm  in  arm  to 
receive  the  plaudits  and  honors  accorded  by  your 
grateful  countrymen.  These  hallowed  recollections 
and  associations  should  burnish  brightly  friendship's 
golden  chain,  and  preserve  intact  and  inviolable  the 
amity  of  the  years  that  tried  men's  souls.  Do  not 
make  your  comrade  an  offender  for  a  word.  With- 
out due  reflection  in  an  unguarded  moment  he  may 
have  said  something  that  gave  offense.  Think  of 
Champion  Hill,  and  Black  River  Bridge,  and  Jack- 
son, and  Vicksburg,  where  he  faced  the  glittering 
bayonet,  and  where  he  stood  shoulder  to  shoulder 
with  the  bravest  of  the  brave,  facing  death  with  un- 
blanched  cheek  and  without  the  tremor  of  a  nerve, 
caring  not  what  became  of  himself  so  that  the  cause 
which  lay  nearest  his  heart  might  triumph.  Think 
of  his  heroism  and  patriotism  and  forgive.  The 
soldier  of  the  civil  war  should  do  nothing  that  would 
tarnish  his  well  merited  fame.  He  deserves  well  of 
his  countrymen.  When  the  tocsin  sounded  the  alarm, 
when  his  imperiled  country  called  her  sons  to  arms* 
he  left  home  with  all  its  ties  and  delightful  environ- 
ment, and  devoted  health  and  life,  yea,  all  his- 


TUPELO.  439 

personal  interests  to  her  service  and  to  do  her  high 
behest.  Republics  are  not  always  ungrateful.  When 
a  boy,  I  remember  that  the  place  of  honor  was  always 
accorded  to  the  surviving  veterans  of  the  Revolu- 
tionary war.  And  a  portion  of  every  address  upon 
all  public  occasions  was  devoted  to  a  recital  of  their 
patriotic  deeds.  Now  the  graves  of  our  deceased 
comrades  are  decked  with  flowers  by  fair  hands, 
prompted  by  loving  hearts.  In  coming  years,  ere  the 
departure  to  their  Celestial  home  of  the  final  corps 
of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  and  of  the 
mighty  host  of  loyal  heroes  who  participated  in  the 
war  for  the  Union,  the  post  of  honor  will  be  assigned 
them  whenever  and  wherever  their  venerated  presence 
is  recognized  in  public  assemblies.  Were  there  pres- 
ent here  to-day  a  hero  who  had  fought  at  Bunker 
Hill  and  Gerrnantown,  or  at  Brandywine  and  Sara- 
toga and  Yorktown,  one  who  had  witnessed  the  sur- 
render of  Burgoyne  and  Cornwallis,  you  would  be 
so  engrossed  in  contemplating  this  distinguished 
visitor  and  in  admiration  of  his  heroic  services  in  the 
dark  days  of  the  Revolution  that  the  services  of  the 
hour  would  pass  by  unheeded.  And  at  the  close  you 
would  crowd  up  and  grasp  him  by  the  hand  and 
assure  him  of  your  deep  gratitude  for  his  inestimable 
services  in  the  achievement  of  our  country's  inde- 
pendence. This  honor  will  be  accorded  you,  my 
comrades,  in  coming  years — even  now  you  are  receiv- 
ing the  earnest  of  it,  the  first  fruits  of  that  greater 
harvest  which  our  surviving  comrades  will  reap  in 


440  TUPELO. 

the  near  future.  The  heroes  of  Chickamauga  and 
Antietam  and  Corinth  and  the  Wilderness,  and  Tupelo 
and  luka,  and  a  hundred  other  well  fought  fields, 
will  be  held  in  honorable  and  everlasting  remem- 
brance by  their  grateful  fellow  countrymen.  Do 
nothing  to  forfeit  the  respect  and  esteem  in  which  you 
are  deservedly  held,  or  to  abate  a  jot  of  the  meed  of 
honor  which  is  your  due,  so  that  in  coming  years  the 
marble  monument  which  marks  your  sleeping  dust 
with  deep  cut  letters  may  record  but  truth  when  it 
recounts  your  virtues  and  speaks  to  posterity  of  your 
sacrifices  and  perils  in  the  subversion  of  the  rebellion 
which  with  treasonable  hands  sought  the  overthrow  of 
the  Republic  in  the  interests  of  a  slave-holding 
oligarchy.  Comrades,  you  have  not  escaped  unscathed 
from  the  perils  of  camp  life  and  the  shock  of  battle. 
Many  bear  honorable  scars.  Many  carry  crutch  or 
cane  to  support  their  tottering  frames  as  they  walk 
our  streets  intent  upon  the  pursuits  and  avocations 
by  which  they  procure  their  daily  bread.  'Tis  rare 
to  find  one  who  does  not  suifer  from  some  lesion  as 
the  result  of  his  war  experience.  But  few  murmur 
or  complain  of  the  pain  they  endure.  With  unre- 
pining  fortitude  they  walk  about  our  streets  and  only 
those  who  are  intimately  acquainted  with  them  know 
that  many  of  them  are  physical  wrecks,  by  mala- 
dies engendered  in  the  service  fast  approaching  the 
vital  part,  the  citadel  of  life,  to  still  forever  its  throb- 
bing. More  than  half  the  survivors  of  the  war  have 
crossed  death's  dark  river  and  have  entered  upon  their 


TUPELO.  441 

eternal  destination,  and  we  are  following  fast.  During 
the  war  four  hundred  thousand  loyal  men  in  camp, 
in  prison,  and  on  the  battle  field,  gave  up  their  lives 
to  attest  their  love  for  the  starry  banner  and  the 
principles  it  represents. 

"On  fame's  eternal  camping  ground 

Their  silent  tents  are  spread, 
And  glory  guards  with  solemn  round 

The  bivouac  of  the  dead." 

"  Peace  to  the  perished  !  may  the  warrior's  meed 
And  tears  of  triumph  their  reward  prolong." 

"  Such  graves  as  theirs  are  pilgrim  shrines 

To  no  creed  or  clime  confined. 
The  Delphic  vales,  the  Palestines, 

The  Meccas  of  the  mind." 

We  must  all  ere  long  attend  the  grand  review  on 
high.  Let  us  all  so  live  that  clad  in  the  regulation 
uniform,  the  conqueror's  robe  which  has  been  washed 
white  in  the  blood  of  the  Lamb,  we  may  be  accepted 
in  that  day  and  be  welcomed  to  the  Grand  Army- 
above,  the  sacramental  host  of  God's  elect — where 
we  will  forever  praise  Him  who  as  the  Captain  of  our 
salvation,  secured  for  us  the  inheritance  and  who, 
giving  us  grace  to  conquer,  if  we  prove  faithful  unto 
death  will  bestow  upon  us  a  crown  of  life.  A  soldier 
true  to  his  country  from  patriotic  motives  has  a  title 
to  nobility  more  honorable  than  that  conferred  by 
royal  prerogative,  but  a  soldier  who  is  not  only  true 
to  his  country  but  also  true  to  his  God — a  loyal 
soldier  of  the  cross,  is  still  more  worthy  of  honor. 


442  TUPELO. 

There  were  devout  soldiers  in  the  days  of  our 
Savior  and  His  Apostles.  Cornelius  and  the  devout 
soldier  who  journeyed  from  Joppa  to  Cesarea  with  a 
message  to  Peter  deserve  honorable  mention.  Col. 
Gardiner,  Gen.  Havelock,  and  Gen.  Gordon,  of  the 
British  army,  were  brave  officers  and  sincere  Chris- 
tians. In  America  our  own  Washington,  Admiral 
Foote,  Commodore  Stockton,  and  Gens.  Howard  and 
Fisk,  as  well  as  many  subalterns  in  the  service,  prove 
that  high  Christian  character  is  not  incompatible  with 
the  soldier's  profession.  Let  us  never  forget  that 
our  great  national  destiny  must  be  woven  out  of  the 
fibers  of  individual  character  and  achievement.  The 
life  of  the  nation  is  the  life  of  its  citizens. 

Let  us  see  to  it  that  though  our  days  are  but  a 
hand-breadth,  the  nation's  recurring  centennials  of 
magnificent  progress  shall  take  no  dimness  nor  weak- 
ness from  that  strand  which  our  little  life  has  worked 
into  it.  The  soldiers  said  to  John,  "and  what  shall 
we  do,  that  is,  what  ^shall  we  do  to  escape  condemna- 
tion, and  bear  fruit  unto  eternal  life?"  Your  first 
duty  is  to  believe  on  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  Com- 
mit all  your  interests  for  time  and  eternity  unto  Him. 
This  Paul  did,  and  thus  confidently  affirms :  "  I 
know  whom  I  have  believed,  and  am  persuaded  that 
he  is  able  to  keep  that  which  I  have  committed  unto 
him  against  that  day."  Are  you  ignorant?  He  is 
the  All-wise  God.  Are  you  weak?  He  is  strong. 
Are  you  sinful?  He  was  holy,  harmless,  undefiled, 
and  separate  from  sinners — the  sinless  one.  Are  irou 


TUPELO.  443 

destitute  of  all  things  ?  In  Him  all  fullness  dwells. 
Seek  first  the  kingdom  of  God  and  His  righteousness, 
and  all  these  things  shall  be  added  unto  you.  Xo 
good  thing  will  He  withhold  from  them  that  walk 
uprightly.  Trust  in  the  Lord  and  do  good,  so  shalt 
thou  dwell  in  the  land  and  verily  thou  shalt  be  fed. 
Loving  trust  and  trusting  love  is  the  essence  of  true 
religion.  Jehovah  calls  for  volunteers.  He  wants 
you  to  come  and  be  mustered  in  as  recruits  in  the 
grand  army  of  the  church  militant.  He  does  not 
wish  you  to  be  spiritual  guerrillas,  serving  as  suits 
your  own  individual  whim,  under  no  recognized  com- 
mander, and  liable  to  be  cut  off  in  detail  or  captured 
and  hanged  as  spies,  or  mere  hangers  on,  receiving 
neither  pay  nor  honor.  Enlist  in  the  army  of  King 
Immanuel.  Fight  the  good  fight  of  faith.  Lay 
hold  upon  eternal  life.  War  a  good  warfare.  En- 
dure hardness  as  becometh  good  soldiers.  March 
with  unfaltering  steps  under  the  blood-stained  ban- 
ner of  the  Cross  toward  glory,  immortality,  and 
eternal  life.  We  promise  you  wages.  It  may  be, 
while  the  conflict  lasts,  a  fierce  and  agonizing  con- 
test, and  during  life  there  is  no  discharge  in  this  war, 
but  at  death  you  will  receive  your  discharge,  or  rather 
you  will  be  translated  from  the  church  militant  on 
earth  to  the  church  triumphant  in  glory.  Then  you 
will  have  a  palace  home  by  the  crystal  sea,  a  king- 
dom and  a  crown  will  be  given  you  as  eternal  in  its 
duration  as  the  throne  of  God,  and  throughout  the 
ceaseless  cycles  of  eternity  -on  will  sing  the  victor's 


444  TUPELO. 

song,  and  rejoice  with  your  companions  in  glory,  and 
so  be  forever  with  the  Lord.  And  now  unto  the 
King  eternal,  immortal,  invisible,  the  only  true  God, 
be  glory  and  honor,  and  dominion  and  power  forever. 
Amen. 

Be  bold,  be  firm,  be  strong,  be  true, 

And  dare  to  stand  alone; 
Strike  for  the  right  whate'er  you  do, 

Though  helpers  there  be  none. 

Strike  for  the  right,  and  with  clean  hands, 

Exalt  the  truth  on  high; 
Thou'lt  find  warm  sympathizing  hearts 

Among  the  passers  by. 

Those  who  have  thought  and  felt  and  prayed, 

Yet  could  not  singly  dare 
The  battle's  brunt,  but  by  thy  side 

Will  every  danger  share. 

Then  learn  this  truth,  the  base  of  all, 
That  all  are  equal,  so  they  fill 
Their  proper  sphere  and  do  God's  will, 
There  is  no  other  great  or  small. 

There  is  a  tear  for  all  that  die, 

A  mourner  o'er  the  humblest  grave, 

But  nations  swell  the  funeral  cry, 
And  triumph  weeps  above  the  brave. 

Cowards  are  cruel,  but  the  brave 
Love  mercy,  and  delight  to  save. 


TUPELO.  445 


FROM  MEMORIAL  DAY  ADDRESS  BY  REV.  T.  C.  EVANS, 
FARMINGTON,  ILL. 

The  urgent  call  of  our  country.  The  Union  was 
not  saved  by  sentiment.  Our  nation  cannot  live  on 
gush.  Hard  work,  faithful  service  is  now  demanded. 
At  present  I  will  not  speak  of  the  two-horned  moral 
monster  now  growing  fat  beneath  our  flag.  I  mean 
Mormonism,  with  its  bigamy  and  polygamy.  Just 
now  I  will  not  speak  of  that  fiery,  fatal,  infernal 
fiend  which  flourishes  under  the  American  segis.  I 
mean  the  liquor  traffic,  with  its  long  trail  of  slimy 
sins.  Of  one  crime  I  must  now  speak.  Silence  in 
this  presence  would  be  sin.  The  crime  is  that  of 
tampering  with  the  ballot-box.  It  is  the  father  of  all 
evils  to  our  land.  It  is  moral  treason.  It  is  Brutus 
sneaking  with  a  concealed  dagger  to  bury  the  blade 
in  the  heart  of  the  Nation.  What  is  the  ballot-box? 
It  is  the  heart  and  lungs  of  the  Republic.  It  is  the 
force  that  sends  the  blood  through  the  arteries  of  the 
Nation.  It  is  also  the  organ  that  cleanses  the  blood 
in  the  body  politic.  The  man  or  the  gang  that  cor- 
rupts the  ballot-box  poisons  the  blood  of  America. 
Can  we  allow  that?  No,  never  and  be  worthy  of 
the  name  of  American.  If  our  courts  of  justice  forget 
themselves  so  far  as  to  permit  the  heart  of  justice  and 
the  neck  of  franchise  to  be  crushed  under  the  heels  of 
legal  technicality  and  judicial  disagreement,  the 
soldiers  must  come  to  the  rescue.  Members  of  the 
Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  keep  your  bayonets 


446  TUPELO. 

bright,  keep  your  cannon  clean,  keep  your  powder 
dry,  keep  your  trust  in  God,  and  when  called  on 
smite  to  the  ground  the  traitor  at  the*  voting  poll, 
even  him  that  tampers  with  the  ballot-box.  If  the 
safety  of  TroyN  depended  upon  the  preservation  of  the 
statue  of  Pallas,  so  much  more  does  the  preserva- 
tion of  the  right  of  suffrage  and  the  purity  of  the 
ballot  inure  to  the  safety  of  the  Republic.  Hence 
every  president  who  will  not  as  commander  in  chief 
of  the  army  protect  every  legal  voter  in  casting  his 
ballot  is  recreant  both  to  his-  oath  and  duty,  and  in 
that  case  should  be  called  to  account  for  cowardice  or 
abetment. 

"  There  is  a  weapon  surer  set 
And  better  than  the  bayonet, 
A  weapon  that  comes  down  as  still 
As  snow-flakes  fall  upon  the  sod, 
Yet  executes  a  freeman's  will 
As  lightning  does  the  will  of  God ; 
Nor  from  its  force  nor  bolts  nor  locks 
Can  shield  them — 'tis  the  ballot-box." 

"WILL  CARLETON'S  FAMOUS  MEMORIAL  DAY  POEM— 
"COVER  THEM  OVER." 

Cover  them  over  with  beautiful  flowers; 
Deck  them  with  garlands,  these  brothers  of  ours; 
Lying  so  silent  by  night  and  by  day, 
Sleeping  the  years  of  their  manhood  away; 
Years  they  had  marked  for  the  joys  of  the  brave; 
Years  that  must  waste  in  the  sloth  of  the  grave. 
All  the  bright  laurels  they  fought  to  make  bloom 
Fell  to  the  earth  when  they  went  to  the  tomb. 
Give  them  the  meed  they  have  won  in  the  past; 
Give  them  the  honors  their  merits  forecast; 


TUPELO.  447 

Give  them  the  chaplets  they  won  in  the  strife, 
Give  them  the  laurels  they  lost  with  their  life. 
Cover  them  over,  -yes,  cover  them  over — 
Parent,  and  husband,  and  brother,  and  lover : . 
Crown  in  your  heart  these  dead  heroes  of  ours, 

And  cover  them  over  with  beautiful  flowers. 

i 

Cover  the  faces  that  motionless  lie, 
Shut  from  the  blue  of  the  glorious  sky : 
Faces  once  light  with  the  smiles  of  the  gay — 
Faces  now  marred  with  the  frown  of  decay. 
Eyes  that  beamed  friendship  and  love  to  your  own; 
Lips  that  sweet  thoughts  of  affection  made  known; 
Brows  you  have  soothed  in  the  day  of  distress; 
Cheeks  you  have  flushed  by  the  tender  caress; 
Faces  that  brightened  at  war's  stirring  cry; 
Faces  that  streamed  when  they  bade  you  good-bye ; 
Faces  that  glowed  in  the  battle's  red  flame, 
Paling  for  naught,  till  the  death  angel  came. 
Cover  them  over — yes,  cover  them  over — 
Parent,  and  husband,  and  brother,  and  lover: 
Kiss  in  your  heart  these  dead  heroes  of  ours, 
And  cover  them  over  with  beautiful  flowers. 

Cover  the  hands  that  are  resting  half-tried, 
Crossed  on  the  bosom  or  low  by  the  side: 
Hands  to  you,  mother,  in  infancy  thrown; 
Hands  that  you,  father,  close  hid  in  your  own; 
ttands  where  you,  sister,  when  tried  and  dismayed, 
Hung  for  protection,  and  counsel,  and  aid; 
Hands  that  you,  brother,  for  faithfulness  knew; 
Hands  that  you,  wife,  wrung  in  bitter  adieu. 
Bravely  the  Across  of  their  country  they  bore; 
Words  of  devotion  they  wrote  with  their  gore; 
Grandly  they  grasped  for  a  garland  of  light, 
Catching  the  mantle  of  death -darkened  night. 
Cover  them  over — yes,  cover  them  over — 
Parent,  and  husband,  and  brother,  and  lover: 


448  TUPELO. 

Clasp  in  your  hearts  these  dead  heroes  of  ours, 
And  cover  them  over  with  beautiful  flowers. 

Cover  the  feet  that,  all  weary  and  torn, 

Hither  by  comrades  were  tenderly  borne; 

Feet  that  have  trodden  through  love-lighted  ways, 

Near  to  your  own,  in  the  old  happy  days; 

Feet  that  have  pressed,  in  life's  open  morn, 

Eoses  of  pleasure  and  death's  poison  thorn. 

Swiftly  they  rush  to  the  help  of  the  right, 

Firmly  they  stood  in  the  shock  of  the  fight. 

Ne'er  shall  the  enemy's  hurrying  tramp 

Summon  them  forth  from  their  death-guarded  camp ; 

Ne'er  till  Eternity's  bugle  shall  sound, 

Will  they  come  out  from  their  couch  in  the  ground. 

Cover  them  over — yes,  cover  them  over — 

Parent,  and  husband,  and  brother,  and  lover: 

Rough  were  the  paths  of  these  heroes  of  ours — 

Now  cover  them  over  with  beautiful  flowers. 

Cover  the  hearts  that  have  beaten  so  high, 
Beaten  with  hopes  that  were  born  but  to  die; 
Hearts  that  have  burned  in  the  heat  of  the  fray ; 
Hearts  that  have  yearned  for  the  homes  far  away; 
Hearts  that  beat  high  in  the  charge's  loud  tramp; 
Hearts  that  low  fell  in  the  prison's  foul  damp. 
Once  they  were  swelling  with  courage  and  will, 
Now  they  are  lying  all  pulseless  and  still; 
Once  they  were  glowing  with  friendship  and  love,      • 
Now  the  great  souls  have  gone  soaring  above. 
Bravely  their  blood  to  the  nation  they  gave, 
Then  in  her  bosom  they  found  them  a  grave. 
Cover  them  over — yes,  cover  them  over — 
Parent,  and  husband,  and  brother,  and  lover: 
Press  to  your  hearts  these  dead  heroes  of  ours, 
And  cover  them  over  with  beautiful  flowers. 

One  there  is,  sleeping,  in  yonder  low  tomb, 
Worthy  the  brightest  of  flowers  that  bloom. 


TUPELO.  449 

Weakness  of  womanhood's  life  was  her  part; 
Tenderly  strong  was  her  generous  heart. 
Bravely  she  stood  by  the  sufferer's  side, 
Checking  the  pain  and  the  life-bearing  tide: 
Fighting  the  swift-smeping  phantom  of  death, 
Easing  the  dying  man's  fluttering  breath. 
Then  when  the  strife  that  had  nerved  her  was  o'er, 
Calmly  she  went  to  where  wars  are  no  more. 
Voices  have  blessed  her  now  silent  and  dumb; 
Voices  will  bless  her  in  long  years  to  come. 
Cover  them  over — yes,  cover  them  over — 
Blessings,  like  angels,  around  her  shall  hover: 
Treasure  the  name  of  that  sister  of  ours, 
And  cover  them  over  with  beautiful  flowers. 

Cover  the  thousands  that  sleep  far  away — 
Sleep  where  their  friends  cannot  find  them  to-day; 
They  who  in  mountain,  and  hillside,  and  dell, 
Rest  where  they  wearied,  and  lie  where  they  fell. 
Softly  the  grass-blade  creeps  round  their  repose; 
Sweetly  above  them  the  wild  flow 'ret  blows; 
Zephyrs  of  freedom  fly  <;ently  o'er  head, 
Whispering  names  for  the  patriot  dead. 
So  in  our  minds  we  will  name  them  once  more, 
So  in  our  hearts  we  will  cover  them  o'er; 
Roses  and  lilies  and  violets  blue 
Bloom  in  our  souls  for  the  brave  and  the  true. 
Cover  them  over — yes,  cover  them  over — 
Parent,  and  husband,  and  brother,  and  lover, 
Think  of  those  far-away  heroes  of  ours, 
And  cover  them  over  with  beautiful  flowers. 

"When  the  long  years  have  crept  slowly  away, 
E'en  to  the  dawn  of  earth's  funeral  day; 
When  at  the  Archangel's  trumpet  and  tread 
Rise  up  the  faces  and  forms  of  the  dead; 
When  the  great  world  its  last  judgment  awaits; 
When  the  blue  sky  shall  swing  open  its  gates, 

29 


450  TUPELO. 

And  our  long  columns  march  silently  through, 
Past  the  Great  Captain  for  final  review — 
Then  for  the  blood  that  has  flowed  for  the  right, 
Crowns  shall  be  given,  untarnished  and  bright; 
Then  the  glad  ear  of  each  war-martyred  sou, 
Proudly  shall  hear  the  good  judgment,  "  Well  done." 
Blessings  for  garlands  shall  cover  them  over — 
Parent,  and  husband,  and  brother,  and  lover: 
God  will  reward  these  dead  heroes  of  ours, 
And  cover  them  over  with  beautiful  flowers. 

HOW  SLEEP  THE  BRAVE ! 

How  sleep  the  brave  who  sink  to  rest 
By  all  their  country's  wishes  blessed  ! 
When  spring,  with  dewy  fingers  cold, 
Keturns  to  deck  their  hallowed  mould, 
She  there  shall  dress  a  sweeter  sod 
Than  fancy's  feet  have  ever  trod. 

By  fairy  hands  their  knell  is  rung, 
By  forms  unseen  their  dirge  is  sung; 
There  honor  comes,  a  pilgrim  gray, 
To  bless  the  turf  that  wraps  their  clay; 
And  freedom  shall  awhile  repair, 
To  dwell  a  weeping  hermit  there  ! 

DECORATION  DAY. 

The  muirled  drum's  sad  roll  has  beat 

The  soldier's  last  tattoo; 
No  more  on  life's  parade  shall  meet 

The  brave  but  fallen  few. 
On  fame's  eternal  camping  ground 

Their  silent  tents  are  spread, 
And  glory  guards  with  solemn  round 

The  bivouac  of  the  dead. 

No  rumor  of  the  foe's  advance 
Now  sweeps  upon  the  wind; 


TUPELO.  451 

No  troubled  thoughts  at  midnight  haunt, 

Of  loved  ones  left  behind; 
No  vision  of  the  morrow's  strife 

The  warrior's  dream  alarms; 
Nor  braying  horn,  nor  screaming  fife 

At  dawn  shall  call  to  arms. 

Their  shivered  swords  are  red  with  rust, 

Their  plumed  heads  are  bowed; 
Their  haughty  banner  trailed  in  dust 

Is  now  their  martial  shroud, 
And  plenteous  funeral  tears  have  washed 

The  red  stains  from  each  brow, 
And  the  proud  forms  by  battle  gashed 

Are  freed  from  anguish  now. 

Now  'neath  their  parent  turf  they  rest, 

Far  from  the  gory  field. 
Borne  to  a  Spartan  mother's  breast 

On  many  a  bloody  shield; 
The  sunshine  of  their  native  sky 

Smiles  sadly  on  them  here, 
And  hundred  eyes  and  hearts  watch  by 

The  soldier's  sepulcher. 

Rest  on,  embalmed  and  sainted  dead, 

Dear  as  the  blood  ye  gave  ! 
No  impious  footsteps  here  shall  tread 

The  herbage  of  your  grave; 
Nor  shall  your  glory  be  forgot 

"While  fame  her  record  keeps, 
Or  honor  points  the  hallowed  spot 

Where  valor  proudly  sleeps. 

Yon  faithful  herald's  blazoned  stone 

\Vith  mournful  pride  shall  tell, 
When  many  a  vanished  age  hath  flown, 

The  story  how  ye  fell ! 


452  TUPELO. 

Nor  wreck,  nor  change,  nor  winter's  flight, 
Nor  time's  remorseless  doom 

Shall  mar  one  ray  of  glory's  light 
That  guilds  your  deathless  tomb. 

THE  BLUE  AND  THE  GRAY. 

By  the  flow  of  the  inland  river, 

Whence  the  fleets  of  iron  have  fled, 
Where  the  blades  of  grave-grass  quiver, 

Asleep  are  the  ranks  of  the  dead. 
Under  the  sod  and  the  dew, 

Waiting  the  judgment  day — 
Under  the  one  the  Blue, 

Under  the  other  the  Gray. 

These  in  the  robings  of  glory, 

Those  in  the  gloom  of  defeat, 
All,  with  the  battle  blood  gory, 

In  the  dusk  of  eternity  meet. 
Under  the  sod  and  the  dew 

Waiting  the  judgment  day — 
Under  the  laurel  the  Blue, 

Under  the  willow  the  Gray. 

From  the  silence  of  sorrowful  hours 

The  desolate  mourners  go, 
Lovingly  laden  with  flowers 

Alike  for  the  friend  and  the  foe. 
Under  the  sod  and  the  dew 

Waiting  the  judgment  day — 
Under  the  roses  the  Blue, 

Under  the  lilies  the  Gray. 

So  with  an  equal  splendor 
The  morning  sun-rays  fall, 

With  a  touch  impartially  tender 
On  the  blossoms  blooming  for  all. 


TUPELO.  453 

Under  the  sod  and  the  dew 

Waiting  the  judgment  day — 
Broidered  with  gold  the  Blue, 

Mellowed  with  gold  the  Gray. 

So  when  the  summer  calleth 

On  forest  and  field  of  grain, 
With  an  equal  murmur  falleth 

The  cooling  drip  of  the  rain. 
Under  the  sod  and  the  dew 

Waiting  the  judgment  day — 
Wet  with  the  rain  the  Blue, 

Wet  with  the  rain  the  Gray. 

Sadly,  but  not  with  upbraiding, 

The  generous  deed  was  done ; 
In  the  storm  of  the  years  that  are  fading 

No  braver  battle  was  won. 
Under  the  sod  and  the  dew 

Waiting  the  judgment  day — 
Under  the  blossoms  the  Blue, 

Under  the  garlands  the  Gray. 

No  more  shall  the  war  cry  sever, 

Or  the  winding  rivers  be  red — 
They  banish  our  anger  forever 

When  they  laurel  the  graves  of  our  dead. 
Under  the  sod  and  the  dew 

Waiting  the  judgment  day — 
Love  and  tears  for  the  Blue, 

Tears  and  love  for  the  Gray. 

AN  ANSWER  TO  THE  "BLUE  AND  GRAY." 

• 

WRITTEN  BY  A  LOYAL  LADY. 

The  loyal  Blue  and  the  traitor  Gray, 

Alike  in  the  grave  are  sleeping. 
Lying  side  by  side  iu  the  sunlight's  ray 

Aud  under  the  storm  cloud's  weeping. 


454  TUPELO. 

'Tis  well  to  forgive  the  past, 

God  giving  us  grace  we  may, 
But  never  while  life  shall  last 

Can  we  honor  or  love  the  Gray. 

Our  boys  in  Blue  were  loyal  and  true, 

For  their  God  and  their  country  dying; 
With  a  grateful  pride  that  ever  is  new 
We  garland  their  graves  where  they're  lying. 
They  were  murdered  by  rebel  bands, 

They  fell  in  the  fearful  fray. 
Guarding  our  flag  from  traitor's  hands; 
We  do  not  love  the  Gray. 

We  would  not  hate  them,  our  hearts  would  fain 

Cast  a  vail  o'er  their  shameful  story — 
It  will  not  bring  back  our  loyal  slain, 
To  recall  their  treason  gory; 
But  barriers  deep  and  wide, 

Divide  the  false  from  the  true; 
Shall  treason  and  honor  stand  side  by  side, 
,  Is  the  Gray  the  peer  of  the  Blue? 

Answers  each  loyal  heart  to-day, 

They  are  peers  and  equals  never; 
No  wreath  on  a  traitor's  grave  we  lay — 
Let  shame  be  his  weed  forever. 
Give  love  where  love  is  due. 
To  the  loyal  all  honor  pay ; 
Love  and  honor  belong  to  the  Blue, 
But  what  do  Ave  owe  the  Gray? 

e  owe  them,  three  hundred  thousand  graves, 
Where  the  loved  and  lost  are  lying, 
We  owe  them  where'er  our  banner  waves, 
Homes  filled  with  tears  and  sighing. 
Do  they  think  that  we  forgot  our  dead, 

Our  boys  who  wore  the  Blue — 
That  because  they  sleep  in  the  same  cold  bed 
We  know  not  the  false  from  the  true? 


TUPELO.  455 

Believe  it  not;  where  our  heroes  lie 

The  very  ground  is  holy; 
His  name  who  dared  for  the  right  to  die 
Is  sacred,  however  lowly; 
But  honor  the  traitor  Gray — 

Make  it  the  peer  of  the  Blue — 
One  flower  at  the  feet  of  treason  lay  ? 
Never !  while  God  is  true. 

THE  NATION'S  DEAD. 
Four  hundred  thousand  men — 

The  brave,  the  good,  the  true — 
In  tangled  wood,  in  mountain  glen, 
On  battle  plain,  in  prison  pen, 

Lie  dead  for  me  and  you  ! 
Four  hundred  thousand  of  the  brave 
Have  made  our  ransomed  soil  their  grave 

For  me  and  you  ! 
Good  friend,  for  me  and  you  ! 

In  many  a  fevered  swamp, 

By  many  a  black  bayou, 
In  many  a  cold  and  frozen  camp, 
The  weary  sentinel  ceased  his  tramp, 

And  died  for  me  and  you  ! 
From  western  plain  to  ocean  tide 
Are  stretched  the  graves  of  those  who  died 

For  me  and  you  ! 
Good  friend,  for  me  and  you  ! 

On  many  a  bloody  plain 

Their  ready  swords  they  drew, 
And  poured  their  life-blood  like  the  rain, 
A  home,  a  heritage  to  gain — 

To  gain  for  me  and  you  ! 
Our  brothers  mustered  by  our  side, 
They  marched,  they  fought,  and  bravely  died 

For  me  and  you  ! 
Good  friend,  for  me  and  you  ! 


456  TUPELO. 

Up  many  a  fortress  wall 

They  charged — those  boys  in  blue; 
'Mid  surging  smoke  and  volley'dball, 
The  bravest  were  the  first  to  fall — 

To  fall  for  me  and  you  ! 
The  noble  men — the  nation's  pride — 
I  Four  hundred  thousand  men  have  died 

For  me  and  you  ! 
Good  friend,  for  me  and  you  ! 

In  treason's  prison-hold 

Their  martyr  spirits  grew 
To  stature  like  the  saints  of  old, 
And  'mid  dark  agonies  untold 

They  starved  for  me  and  you  ! 
The  good,  the  patient,  and  the  tried — 
Four  hundred  thousand  men  have  died 

For  me  and  you  ! 
Good  friend,  for  me  and  you  ! 

A  debt  we  ne'er  can  pay 

To  them  is  justly  due, 
And  to  the  nation's  latest  day 
Our  children's  children  still  shall  say, 

"  They  died  for  me  and  you  !  " 
Four  hundred  thousand  of  the  brave 
Made  this,  our  ransomed  soil,  their  grave, 

For  me  and  you  ! 
Good  friend,  for  me  and  you  ! 

SLEEP,  COMRADES,  SLEEP  ! 

I. 
Sleep,  comrades,  sleep  !     The  clinging  rust 

Lies  thick  upon  the  blade, 
And  valor  is  obscured  by  lust 

Of  money  and  of  trade ; 
The  fife  is  mute;  no  more  the  drum 

The  drowsy  camp  alarms; 


TUPELO.  457 

The  piping  times  of  peace  have  come, 
And  Pleasure  spreads  her  charms. 

II. 

Sleep,  comrades,  sleep  !     The  cannon's  roar 

No  longer  fills  the  air; 
The  rifle  volley  routs  no  more 

The  rebel  from  his  lair. 
Where  once  the  beacon  brightly  shone, 

The  sentry  walked  his  round, 
The  crumbling  headstone  marks  alone 

The  consecrated  ground. 

ill. 

Sleep,  comrades,  sleep  !     The  battle  flag 

Is  rotting  on  the  staff, 
And  soon,  perchance,  the  tattered  rag 

Will  waken  but  a  laugh; 
The  peaceful  plowshare  cleaves  the  sod 

Once  wet  with  War's  red  stain, 
And  fields  that  mighty  armies  trod 

Are  starred  with  flowers  again. 

IV. 

Sleep,  comrades,  sleep  !     Though  soon  forgot 

By  some,  while  life  endures, 
Forget  our  loving  hearts  will  not 

To  keep  their  tryst  with  yours; 
The  general  muster  of  the  dead, 

Whate'er  on  earth  betide, 
Shall  find  us  still  by  Glory  led 

And  marching  by  your  side. 


458  TUPELO. 

THE  VETERAN'S  REQUEST. 

BY  BAYARD  TAYLOK. 
I. 

An  old  and  crippled  veteran  to  the  war  department  came, 
He  sought  the  Chief  who  led  him,  on  many  a  field  of  fame, 
The  Chief  who  shouted  "Forward  !  "  where'er  his  banner  goes, 
And  bore  its  stars  in  triumph  behind  the  flying  foes. 

II. 

"Have  you  forgotten,  General,"  the  battered  soldier  cried, 
"  The  day  of  eighteen  hundred  twelve,  when  I  was  at  your 

side? 

"Have  you  forgotten  Johnson,  that  fought  at  Lundy's  Lane? 
'Tis  true  I'm  old  and  pensioned,  but  I  want  to  fight  again." 

ill. 
"Have  I  forgotten?"  said  the  Chief;  "my  brave  old  soldier, 

No! 

And  here's  the  hand  I  gave  you  then,  and  let  it  tell  you  so; 
But  you  have  done  your  share,  my  friend;  you're  crippled,  old, 

and  gray, 
And  we  have  need  of  younger  arms  and  fresher  blood  to-day." 

IV. 

"  But,  General,"  cried  the  veteran,  a  flush  upon  his  brow, 
"The  very  men  who  fought  with  us,  they  say,  are  traitors  now; 
They've  torn  the  flag  of  Lundy's  Lane,  our  old  red,  white,  and 

blue, 
And  while  a  drop  of  blood  is  left,  I'll  show  that  drop  is  true. 

V. 

"I'm  not  so  weak  but  I  can  strike,  and  I've  a  good  old  gun, 
To  get  the  range  of  traitors'  hearts,  and  pick  them,  one  by  one; 
Your  minie-rifles  and  such  arms  it  ain't  worth  while  to  try, 
I  couldn't  get  the  hang  of  them,  but  I'll  keep  my  powder  dry." 

VI. 
"  God  bless  you,  comrade  !  "  said  the  Chief — "  God  bless  your 

loyal  heart  ! 
But  younger  men  are  in  the  field,  and  claim  to  have  their  part. 


TUPELO.  459 

They'll  plant  our  sacred  banner  in  each  rebellious  town, 
And  woe,  henceforth,  to  any  hand  that  dares  to  pull  it  down." 

VII. 

"  But,  General  !  " — still  persisting,  the  weeping  veteran  cried; 
"  I'm  young  enough  to  follow,  so  long  as  you're  my  guide; 
And  some,  you  know,  must  bite  the  dust,  and  that  at  least 

can  I; 
So,  give  the  young  ones  place  to  fight,  but  me  a  place  to  die  ! 

VIII. 

"  If  they  should  fire  on  Pickens,  let  the  colonel  in  command 
Put  me  upon  the  rampart,  with  the  flag-staff  in  my  hand ; 
No  odds  how  hot  the  cannon  smoke,  or  how  hot  the  shells  may 

fly, 

I'll  hold  the  Stars  and  Stripes  aloft,  and  hold  them  till  I  die. 

IX. 

"  I'm  ready,  General,  so  you  let  a  post  to  me  be  given, 
Where   Washington   can   see   me,  as  he  looks  from  highest 

Heaven, 

And  say  to  Putnam  at  his  side,  or,  may  be,  General  Wayne, 
'  There  stands  old  Billy  Johnson,  that  fought  at  Lundy's  Lane.' 

x. 

"  And  when  the  fight  is  hottest,  before  the  traitors  fly, 
When  shell  and  ball  are  screeching,  and  bursting  in  the  sky, 
If  any  shot  should  hit  me,  and  lay  me  on  my  face, 
My  soul  would  go  to  Washington's,  and  not  to  A  mold's  place." 

THE  SOLDIER'S  REPRIEVE. 

"  My  Fred!  I  can't  understand  it," 

And  his  voice  it  quivered  with  pain, 
While  the  tears  kept  slowly  dropping 

On  his  trembling  hands  like  rain. 
"  For  Fred  was  so  brave  and  loj'al, 
So  true  ;  but  my  eyes  are  dim, 
And  I  cannot  read  the  letter, 
The  last  I  shall  get  from  him. 


460  TUPELO. 

Please  read  it,  sir,  while  I  listen — 
In  fancy  I  see  him — dead  ; 

My  boy,  shot  down  like  a  traitor, 
My  noble,  my  brave  boy,  Fred  !" 

' '  Dear  father,' '  so  ran  the  letter, 
"  To  morrow  when  twilight  creeps 
Along  the  hill  to  the  churchyard, 

O'er  the  grave  where  mother  sleeps, 
When  the  dusky  shadows  gather, 

They'll  lay  your  boy  in  his  grave, 
For  nearly  betraying  the  country 

He  would  give  his  life  to  save. 
And,  father,  I  tell  you  truly, 

With  almost  my  latest  breath, 
That  your  boy  is  not  a  traitor, 

Though  he  dies  a  traitor's  death. 

"  You  remember  Bennie  Wilson? 

He's  suffered  a  deal  of  pain, 
He  was  only  that  day  ordered 

Back  into  the  ranks  again. 
I  carried  all  of  his  luggage, 

With  mine  on  the  march  that  day  ; 
I  gave  him  my  arm  to  lean  on, 

Else  he  had  dropped  by  the  way. 
'Twas  Bennie's  turn  to  be  sentry  ; 

But  I  took  his  place,  and  I — 
Father,  I  dropped  asleep,  and  now 

I  must  die  as  traitor's  die.  " 

"  The  Colonel  is  kind  and  thoughtful, 

He  has  done  the  best  he  can, 
And  they  will  not  bind  or  blind  me — 

I  shall  meet  death  like  a  man. 
Kiss  little  Blossom  ;  but,  father. 

Need  you  tell  her  how  I  fall?  " — 
A  sob  from  the  shadowed  corner — 

Yes,  Blossom  had  heard  it  all. 


TUPELO.  461 

As  she  kissed  the  precious  letter, 

She  said,  with  faltering  breath  : 
Our  Fred  was  never  a  traitor, 

Though  he  dies  a  traitor's  death." 

And  a  little  son-brown  maiden, 

In  a  shabby,  time-worn  dress, 
Took  her  seat  a  half  hour  later 

In  the  crowded  night-express. 
The  conductor  heard  her  story 

As  he  held  her  dimpled  hand, 
And  sighed  for  the  sad  hearts  breaking 

All  over  the  troubled  land, 
He  tenderly  wiped  the  tear  drops 

From  the  blue  eyes  brimming  o'er, 
And  guarded  her  footsteps  safely 

Till  she  reached  the  White  House  door. 

The  President  sat  at  his  writing; 

But  the  eyes  were  kind  and  mild 
That  turned  with  a  look  of  wonder 

On  the  little  shy  faced  child. 
And  he  read  Fred's  farewell  letter, 

With  a  look  of  sad  regret, 
'  'Tis  a  brave,  young  life,"  he  murmured, 
"  And  his  country  needs  him  yet, 
From  an  honored  place  in  battle 

He  shall  bid  the  wot  Id  good-by, 
If  that  brave  young  life  is  needed, 

He  shall  die  as  heroes  die." 

—  [Rose  Hartwick  Thorpe,  in  the  Detroit  Free  Press. 


462  TUPELO. 

THE  UNITED  STATES  IN  1984. 

"  This  is  a  bad  world/'  President  Dwight,  of  Yale, 
used  to  say  to  his  Senior  class;  "but,  gentlemen,  it 
is  a  good  world  to  do  good  in." 

We  were  reminded  of  the  president's  remark  on 
reading  the  calculations  of  another  clergyman,  Mr. 
F.  B.  Lincke,  one  of  Queen  Victoria's  chaplains,  who 
has  been  ciphering  out  the  destiny  of  the  English- 
speaking  world.  After  doing  a  number  of  hard  sums, 
he  comes  to  the  conclusion  that,  one  hundred  years 
from  now,  there  will  be  nearly  as  many  people  speak- 
ing the  English  language  as  there  are  now  inhabitants 
of  the  earth. 

He  figures  it  up  thus :  Great  Britain  and  Ireland, 
seventy  millions ;  South  Africa,  sixteen  millions ; 
Australia,  forty-eight  millions;  Canada,  sixty-four 
millions  ;  the  United  States,  eight  hundred  millions; 
total,  nine  hundred  and  ninety-eight  millions. 

Having  arrived  at  this  enormous  result,  Mr. 
Lincke  enters  upon  conjectures  as  to  the  kind  of  peo- 
ple those  thousand  millions  are  likely  to  be.  -He 
has  remarked,  in  reading  the  history  of  the  past,  that 
the  dream  of  the  philosopher  comes  true,  and  he  thinks, 
therefore,  that  what  the  best  men  and  women  are 
now  striving  for  with  pen,  tongue,  and  hand,  will  be 
realized  in  and  by  that  future  multitude. 

They  will  all  be  in  some  degree  educated.  There 
will  be  no  class  deaf  to  the  wisdom  of  the  age,  blind 
to  its  art,  insensible  to  its  aspiration.  There  will  be 


TUPELO.  463 

no  estates  too  large  to  be  a  good  to  the  owners,  and, 
as  a  rule,  the  farmer  will  be  the  owner  of  the  acres 
he  tills  "  Landlordism,"  so  far  as  the  naked  land 
is  concerned,  will  not  exist.  The  largest  class  will 
be  farmers,  living  on  their  own  land,  and  holding  no 
more  of  it  than  they  can  utilize. 

The  nations  will  live  in  peace  through  free-trade 
and  courts  of  arbitration,  knowing  no  rivalry  apart 
from  the  generous  strife  to  excel  in  the  arts  and  the 
virtues.  Instead  of  contending  on  the  field  of  battle 
for  vulgar  and  odious  mastery,  the  nations  will,  as 
Victor  Hugo  has  it,  give  one  another  rendezvous  at 
International  Expositions — the  "true  fields  of  battle" 
for  civilized  men. 

There  will  be,  of  course,  no  such  thing  as  rank  or 
caste,  but  every  honest  man  will  stand  in  all  com- 
panies the  equal  brother  of  the  rest,  whether  he  be 
scavenger  or  statesman. 

Are  these  but  the  idle  thoughts  of  an  optimist? 
That  depends  upon  us,  who  have  the  honor  to  inhabit 
the  English-speaking  world  at  the  present  time.  It 
depends  much  upon  the  youngest  of  us  who  will  live 
in  the  dawn  of  that  greater  day,  and  some  of  whom 
will  be  known  as  all  but  contemporaries  of  the  thou- 
sand millions  who  will  speak  our  language  in  1984. 


464  TUPELO. 

THE    ENGLISH    OR   AMERICAN    LANGUAGE. 

[From  the  Grammatical  Guide.] 

The  American  language  will  be  in  the  near  future 
the  universal  language.  It  is  the  commercial  language 
of  the  globe.  It  is  the  vernacular  of  Great  Britain  and 
Ireland,  and  the  United  States,  the  two  most  enlight- 
ened, powerful,  and  influential  nations  on  the  earth. 
The  infant  Empires  of  Australia  and  New  Zealand 
speak  it.  The  Republic  of  Liberia  and  the  British 
African  Colonies  will  give  the  language  to  Africa. 
Great  Britain  and  her  Colonial  possessions  comprise 
one-fourth  of  the  earth's  inhabitants-;  the  language 
of  the  mother  country  is  rapidly  becoming  the  lan- 
guage of  her  Colonies.  All  the  countries  speaking 
this  language  are  radiating  centers  whence  emanate 
the  beams  of  lingual  light  which  will  ere  long  illume 
the  whole  planet.  Every  year  half  a  million  Ger- 
mans and  French  are  exchanging  their  language  for 
ours.  Every  idea  that  enters  the  mind,  every  shade 
of  meaning,  every  variety  and  contrariety  of  thought 
and  opinion,  may  be  expressed  with  clearness,  force, 
and  elegance  in  the  language  of  America. 

The  poet,  the  statesman,  the  divine,  cannot  find 
amid  earth's  clashing  tongues  a  better  vehicle  of 
thought.  Poverty  of  expression  results  only  from 
jgnorance  of  the  language,  or  from  poverty  of  thought. 

The  genius  of  Shakespeare,  the  sublime  imagina- 
tion of  Milton,  the  ennobling  thoughts  and  grand 
conceptions  of  the  minor  stars  in  the  constellation  of 


TUPELO.  465 

English  literature,  all  found  the  amplest  expression 
in  the  Anglo-Saxon  tongue.  Bryant,  Longfellow, 
Whittier,  Prescott,  Bancroft,  Fenimore  Cooper,  and 
all  the  bright  luminaries  which  shine  in  the  galaxy 
of  American  literature,  found  the  utmost  felicity  of 
expression  in  their  own  vernacular.  The  power  of 
speech  is  a  great  blessing  conferred  upon  the  human 
race.  The  ability  to  hold  intercourse  with  each  other 
by  means  of  a  language  so  full,  so  expressive,  and  so 
forcible,  is  one  of  the  greatest  temporal  blessings 
which  God  has  bestowed  upon  the  American  speak- 
ing nations.  It  is  our  bounden  duty  to  guard  our 
language  from  everything  that  militates  against  its 
purity,  from  provincialisms,  vulgarisms,  slang,  and 
flash  phrases  which  are  insidiously  creeping  into  the 
colloquial  dialect  of  the  people.  Unless  we  do  this 
our  language  will  soon  undergo  serious  deterioration. 
The  pure  in  heart  and  life  will  sedulously  cultivate 
purity  of  speech.  Nothing  better  indicates  mental 
and  moral  worth  than  a  chaste  and  pure  conversa- 
tional style.  In  order  to  form  this  style,  study  dili- 
gently the  writings  of  our  standard  authors,  whose 
works  have  stood  the  test  of  time  and  are  still  popu- 
lar. Make  their  style  your  own.  Reject  the  ephem- 
eral trash,  the  mushroom  literature  of  the  day,  which 
panders  to  a  depraved  taste.  Read  it,  and  it  will 
vitiate  and  enervate  your  style.  In  order  to  culti- 
vate the  greatest  purity  of  expression  and  to  form  a 
vigorous  and  chaste  style,  be  a  diligent  student  of  the 
Bible.  Its  sublime  conceptions,  its  ennobling  themes, 
30 


466  TUPELO. 

its  pure  morality,  its  simple,  chaste,  vigorous,  and 
classic  style,  its  wide  range  of  subjects,  will  bestow 
upon  those  who  study  it  diligently  a  liberal  education, 
even  though  not  conversant  with  any  other  volume, 
while  he  who  is  versed  in  all  human  lore,  and  is  ig- 
norant of  the  sacred  Scriptures,  cannot  compete  with 
him  who  has  made  them  a  study.  The  greatest 
statesmen  and  most  distinguished  authors,  both  Eng- 
lish and  American,  read  the  Bible  daily.  One  object 
they  had  in  view  was  to  improve  their  style,  to  ac- 
quire fluency  and  felicity  of  expression.  Shakespeare 
was  a  student  of  the  Bible,  as  his  writings  prove. 
Milton  made  it  a  daily  study,  John  Quincy  Adams, 
"the  old  man  eloquent,"  was  well  versed  in  its  sub- 
lime lore.  Webster  affirmed  that  he  was  more  in- 
debted for  his  style  to  the  Bible  than  to  any  other 
volume.  Make  the  Bible  a  daily  study ;  become 
familiar  with  its  modes  of  thought  and  expression, 
and  your  style  will  be  free  from  redundancy,  mere- 
tricious adornment,  slang,  and  vulgarity.  It  will  be 
correct,  forcible,  expressive^1.  Every  section  of  our 
country  has  localisms,  provincialisms,  and  incongrui- 
ties of  speech  peculiar  to  it.  These  should  be  care- 
fully avoided. 

DUTY  OF  CHRISTIAN  MINISTERS  AND  PEOPLE. 

The  passage  of  Scripture — "  My  kingdom  is  not 
of  this  world"  (John  xviii.  36) — is  cited  of  late  by 
political  speakers,  and  by  religious  and  secular  pa- 
pers, to  show  that  ministers  must  keep  hands  and 


TUPELO.  467 

tongues  off  the  politics  of  the  day.  There  never 
was  a  greater  mistake  and  one  leading  to  more  disas- 
trous results  to  this  or  any  other  nation.  This 
Scripture  is  Christ's  answer  to  Pilate's  question : 
"  Art  thou  the  king  of  the  Jews  ?"  "  Art  thou  a 
a  king  ?"  "  Thou  sayest  that  I  am  a  king."  "  To 
this  end  was  I  born,  and  for  this  cause  came  I  into 
the  world,  that  I  should  bear  witness  to  the  truth. 
Every  one  that  is  of  the  truth  heareth  my  voice." 
Thus  Christ  confesses  that  he  is  king,  but  not  of  the 
order  of  Pilate  or  kings  of  this  world.  His  king- 
dom is  spiritual  and  eternal  and  sways  a  sceptre  of 
universal  dominion.  "He  does  his  pleasure  in  the 
armies  of  heaven  and  amongst  the  inhabitants  of  this 
world,  there  being  none  to  stay  his  hand  or  say, 
what  doest  thou  ?"  "  My  kingdom,"  says  Christ,  "  is 
not  of  this  world."  It  is  not  of  the  same  nature — it 
is  spiritual,  holy,  just,  good,  and  from  heaven.  The 
kingdoms  of  this  world  are  from  below,  "out  of  the 
sea  and  of  the  earth."  The  kingdom  of  Christ  is 
"  within  men  "  in  the  kingdoms  of  this  world,  and 
is  the  "  salt  of  the  earth,"  "  the  light  of  the  world." 
He  came  to  bear  witness  to  the  truth,  that  is  to 
authoritatively  declare  and  enjoin  upon  men  the 
will  of  God  as  the  infallible  rule  of  faith  and  prac- 
tice, in  the  church  and  state.  There  is  no  power  but 
of  him. '  "  By  me,"  he  says,  "  kings  rule  and  princes 
decree  justice.  By  me  princes  rule  and  nobles;  yea, 
all  the  judges  of  the  earth." 

It  is  impossible  to  separate  religion  and  politics, 


468  TUPELO. 

that  is  the  morals  of  civil  government.  God  has 
married  them,  and  "  what  God  has  joined  together 
let  not  man  put  asunder."  Religion  is  the  chief 
corner-stone  of  this  Republic.  All  our  monuments, 
histories,  orators,  and  ministers  bear  witness  to  that. 
Bishop  Mcllvaine  says  :  "  The  Christian  religion  is 
recognized  as  the  religion  of  this  nation."  Webster 
says  :  "  There  is  nothing  we  look  for  with  more 
certainty  than  this  principle,  that  Christianity  is  a 
part  of  the  law  of  the  land."  Jesus  Christ  the  great 
King  and  Head  of  the  church,  and  "  commander  and 
leader  of  the  nations  "  of  the  earth,  is  ascended  to 
heaven  to  intercede  for  men,  but  he  has  left  behind 
him  the  ministers  of  the  gospel  and  people  of  God  as 
the  spiritual  leaders  and  commanders  of  the  people. 
This  great  king  says  to  his  ministers:  "Ye  shall  be 
witnesses  of  me  in  Jerusalem,  Judea,  Samaria,  and 
to  the  uttermost  parts  of  the  earth."  Ministers 
must  in  Christ's  stead  authoritatively  declare  his 
will.  When  governments  among  men  become  un- 
just and  tyrannize  over  the  people,  or  when  they  set 
in  motion  for  the  sake  of  gain,  or  spoils  of  office, 
some  infernal  machine  that  deprives  the  citizens  of 
his  natural,  inherent,  God-given  rights — life,  liberty, 
and  happiness — then  the  ministers  of  the  gospel  as 
"solemn  legates  of  the  skies,"  must  "thunder  and 
lighten"  every  Sabbath,  as  John  Adams  says  the 
ministers  of  Philadelphia  did  in  1774,  or  Rev. 
Jacob  Trout  on  the  eve  of  the  battle  of  Brandy  wine. 
He  cried  "  Soldiers,  I  look  around  upon  your  familiar 


TUPELO.  469 

faces  with  strange  interest.  To-morrow  morning  we 
go  forth  to  battle.  Need  I  tell  you  that  your  un- 
worthy minister  will  march  with  you,  invoking  the 
divine  blessing  of  God's  aid  in  the  fight  ?  Need  I 
exhort  you  to  fight  the  good  fight — to  fight  for  your 
homes,  and  your  wives  and  your  children  ?" 

Says  Dr.  Spring :  "  That  great  event  in  the  his- 
tory of  the  world,  the  American  Revolution,  never 
would  have  been  achieved  without  the  influence  of 
the  pulpit."  "  The  Puritan  preachers/'  says  Lossing, 
"  promulgated  the  doctrine  of  civil  liberty.  By  de- 
grees their  pulpits  became  the  tribune  of  the  people, 
and  on  all  occasions  the  Puritan  ministers  were  the 
bold  asserters  of  that  freedom  which  the  American 
Revolution  established."  The  ministers  of  the 
Revolution  were  partisans,  hateful  partisans  in  the 
parlance  of  to-day.  Says  Thatcher,  in  his  Military 
Journal,  May,  1775  :  "  The  clergymen  of  New 
England  are  almost  without  exception  advocates  of 
Whig  principles  ;  there  are  few  instances  only  of  the 
separation  of  a  minister  from  his  people  in  conse- 
quence of  a  disagreement  in  political  sentiment.  The 
Tories  censure  in  a  very  illiberal  manner  the  preacher 
who  speaks  boldly  for  the  liberties  of  the  people," 
etc.  The  tyranny  of  England  was  the  overshadow- 
ing curse  of  that  day. 

What  is  the  duty  of  the  hour  ?  Let  the  3,575,000 
Christian  voters,  headed  by  their  ministers,  look 
out  from  among  all  the  people  the  kind  of  men  that 
God  wants  to  rule  over  men  under  him — "  Able  men, 


470  TUPELO. 

such  as  fear  God,  men  of  truth,  hating  covetousness"; 
and  walk  up  to  the  polls  and  elect  them.  The 
Christian  element  in  this  land  has  the  balance  of 
power,  and  woe  unto  them  if  they  fail  to  use  it 
properly.  Where  are  the  great  nations  of  antiquity  ? 
HT>V  did  they  fall  ?  By  their  own  hands  as  national 
suicides.  How  shall  we  stay  this  nation  on  its  course 
to  ruin  ?  Strike  down  the  drink  traffic,  Sabbath- 
breaking  by  great  monopolies,  and  divide  the  public 
lands  among  their  rightful  owners. 

Miss  SARAH  HOSIER. 

THE  BURNING  OF  COLUMBIA,  S.  C.,  IX  1865. 

Who  burnt  Columbia  is  a  mooted  question.  Many 
of  the  citizens  of  Columbia  say  that  their  city  was 
burnt  by  Gen.  Sherman.  Messrs.  J.  J.  Knox  and 
Dr.  Witherspoon,  of  Sumter,  S.  C.,  made  this  state- 
ment to  me:  "AVade  Hampton,  when  retreating  be- 
fore Gen.  Sherman,  fired  the  public  property  belong- 
ing to  the  Confederacy,  which  he  could  not  remove, 
lest  it  should  fall  into  the  hands  of  the  approaching 
Federal  army.  The  buildings  in  which  this  property 
was  stored,  while  burning,  communicated  the  fire  to 
the  city.  Upon  the  arrival  of  Gen.  Sherman  and  the 
surrender  of  the  city  to  him,  he  made  almost  super- 
human efforts  to  save  it  from  destruction,  and  all  of 
the  city  that  escaped  owed  its  preservation  to  his 
clemency." 

Messrs.  Witherspoon  and  Knox  had  no  doubt  that 
after  Gen.  Sherman's  arrival  some  of  his  troops  aided 


TUPELO.  471 

in  promoting  the  conflagration,  assisted  by  liberated 
Unionist  prisoners.  In  confirmation  of  their  state- 
ment they  narrated  this  incident : 

"In  1861,  Mr.  Lemuel  Lorimer  strongly  animad- 
verted upon  the  secession  of  South  Carolina,  and  de- 
clared himself  to  bean  unconditional  Unionist.  Soon 
a  mob,  led  by  Gen.  Adams,  ex-governor  of  S.  C.,  and 
other  prominent  citizens  of  Columbia,  seized  the 
unfortunate  Unionist,  tied  him  to  a  post,  and  whipped 
him  severely,  after  which  they  put  upon  him  a  coat 
of  tar  and  feathers.  Some  one  proposed  to  set  him 
on  fire.  This  was  opposed  by  some,  as  he  might 
rush  into  a  store  or  some  building  and  start  a  confla- 
gration. At  this  moment  a  northern  bound  train 
entered  the  depot.  Gen.  Adams  suggested  that  it 
\vould  be  well  to  send  him  North,  among  congenial 
spirits,  and  thus  have  all  their  enemies  in  front. 
This  suggestion  was  approved  by  the  majority.  Mr. 
Lorimer  was  unceremoniously  hustled  aboard  the 
train.  Some  nowr  proposed  to  shoot  him,  and  drew 
their  revolvers  for  this  purpose,  since  their  victim 
refused  to  recant.  Fearing  that  the  lives  of  others 
might  be  endangered,  they  refrained  from  shooting. 
They  then  ordered  a  negro  to  go  to  him  and  collect 
the  fare.  Mr.  Lorimer  said,  '  Put  your  hand  in  my 
pocket  and  take  the  money,  my  hands  are  besmeared 
and  tied  together,  so  that  it  is  impossible  for  me  to 
comply  with  their  demand.'  The  colored  man,  at  the 
instigation  of  the  crowd,  withdrew  Mr.  Lorimer's 
pocket-book,  took  from  it  ten  dollars,  and  returned 


472  TUPELO. 

it.  The  train  then  started  North,  bearing  this  de- 
fenseless victim  of  Confederate  wrath,  who  was  indeed 
in  a  pitiable  plight,  but  thankful  to  escape  with  life. 
"  When  Gen.  Sherman  entered  Columbia,  Mr.  Lori- 
mer  was  an  officer  in  his  army.  Mr.  Lorimer's  first 
enquiry  after  entering  this  doomed  city  was  for  Gen. 
Adams.  He  learned  that  he  was  not  living.  The 
others  who  had  maltreated  hirn  were  all  put  to  death 
as  soon  as  found.  Not  one  was  spared  of  those  whom 
he  remembered  as  guilty  of  the  flagrant  outrage  upon 
his  person.  A  life  atoned  for  every  lash  he  had  re- 
ceived. A  number  of  Unionists  were  incarcerated  in 
prison  in  Columbia.  They  were  under  sentence  of 
death.  These  the  Federal  army  released.  In  their 
wrath  they  did  not  spare  the  burning  city,  but  aided 
in  its  destruction.  Mr.  Lorimer,  after  destroying 
those  who  had  so  horribly  abused  him  for  his  loyal 
sentiments,  burnt  their  dwellings,  and  this  aided 
materially  in  extending  the  conflagration." 

CHARLESTON,  S.  C.,  1865. 

Thy  sanctuaries  are  forsaken  now, 
Deep  mold  and  moss  cling  to  thy  fretted  towers, 
Deep  rents  and  seams  where  struggling  lichens  grow 
And  no  sweet  voice  of  prayer  at  vestal  hour, 
But  voice  of  screaming  shot  and  bursting  shell, 
Thy  deep  damnation  and  thy  doom  foretell. 
The  fire  has  left  a  pile  of  broken  walls, 
And  night  hags  revel  in  thy  ruined  halls. 


TUPELO.  473 

MEMORIAL     DAY THE     ADDRESS    DELIVERED     AT 

CHARITOX,  IOWA,  BY  REV.  W.   F.  BARTHOLOMEW. 

Soldiers  and  Fellow  Citizens: 

Toward  the  close  of  the  war  of  the  rebellion,  the 
graves  of  some  soldiers  were  visited  by  a  few  patri- 
otic Christian  ladies,  by  whom  they  were  strewed 
with  sweet  spring  flowers.  It  was  a  simple  act,  sug- 
gested by  a  womanly  impulse,  and  they  little  thought 
they  were  doing  a  thing  which  would  so  soon  become 
a  national  observance.  Within  a  few  years  the  cus- 
tom had  become  so  widespread,  that,  in  1868,  John 
A.  Logan  issued  an  order  from  the  head-quarters  of 
the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  setting  apart  the 
30th  of  May  as  a  day  to  be  thus  observed  through- 
out the  nation,  in  honor  of  its  dead.  The  order  was 
soon  ratified  by  many  of  the  state  legislatures,  and 
by  congress  for  the  District  of  Columbia,  making 
the  day  a  legal  holiday.  In  the  spontaneous  and 
widespread  popularity  of  this  Memorial  Day,  I  see 
what  is  to  me,  full  of  hopefulness  for  the  nation.  I 
see  a  necessity  for  the  sentiments  which  these  com- 
memorations express,  and  which  they  tend  to  culti- 
vate. I  am  aware  that  there  are  those  among  us  who 
affect  contempt  for  what  they  choose  to  call  "mere 
sentiment."  But  I  insist  that  sentiment,  so  far  from 
being  a  useless  thing,  is  as  important  to  us  as  rail- 
roads, or  mines,  or  arms.  The  enthusiasms  of  the 
world  are  begotten,  not  by  syllogisms,  nor  by  statis- 
tics, but  by  what  these  people  call  sentiment. 


474  TUPELO. 

These  sentiments  are  what  make  patriotism  practical, 
the  raising  of  armies  and  navies  possible.  Without 
them  we  should  be  but  selfish  individuals,  and  the 
state  would  be  impossible.  Edward  Everett,  plead- 
ing for  the  completion  of  Bunker  Hill  monument, 
said,  "  I  am  asked,  'What  good  will  this  monument 
do?'  And  I  ask,  What  good  does  anything  do? 
What  is  good  ?  I  say  that  generous  and  patriotic  sen- 
timents, sentiments  which  prepare  us  to  serve  our 
country,  are  good — good,  humanly  speaking,  of  the 
highest  order.  It  is  good  to  have  them,  good  to  com- 
memorate them,  good  to  encourage  them."  A  coun- 
try that  may  one  day  need  citizens  who  would  die  for 
it,  had  better  encourage  the  spirit  of  her  who  was 
willing  to  break  the  precious  alabaster  box  of  spike- 
nard, for  the  sake  of  a  sentiment,  than  foster  the 
spirit  of  her  practical-minded  critic,  who  so  soon  sold 
his  Master  for  the  price  of  a  slave.  The  decoration 
of  these  graves  then,  I  understand  to  be  not  merely 
a  beautiful  ceremony,  but  also  an  educator  in  the 
truest  elements  of  American  citizenship. 

The  impulse  that  called  forth  this  observance  was 
not  a  new  impulse,  nor  one  peculiar  to  the  American 
people,  but  an  impulse  as  old  as  the  heart  of  man. 
All  civilized  nations  have  in  their  own  ways  done 
honor  to  their  illustrious  dead.  The  early  Egyptians 
embalmed  their  bodies  and  entombed  them  in  costly 
sarcophagi,  and  with  them  the  records  of  their  glory. 
The  early  Greeks,  and  other  ancient  peoples,  exalted 
their  heroes,  and  worshiped  them  as  gods.  Many  of 


TUPELO.  475 

them  they  associated  with  the  stars  of  night,  where 
some  of  the  most  brilliant  constellations  yet  bear  their 
names.  The  Greeks  and  Romans  raised  monumental 
pillars,  and  covered  them  with  the  names  of  those 
who  lost  their  lives  in  battle.  One  of  these  monu- 
mental records  has  come  down  to  our  clay,  containing 
the  names  of  the  men  who  fell  at  Potidrea.  We  find 
in  ancient  Athens  memorial  rites  very,  similar  to  our 
own.  They  reach  as  far  back  as  the  battle  of  Marathon. 
Their  burial  place  was  the  Keramikus — the  most 
charming  suburb  of  Athens — which  stood  on  the  in- 
tersection of  the  great  thoroughfares  from  east,  south, 
and  west.  Here  they  buried  their  soldiers  who  had 
been  brought  home  at  the  public  expense ;  and  here 
they  met  annually  to  do  them  honor  with  offerings 
of  flowers  and  orations  of  eulogy,  much  as  we  do  to- 
day. Two  of  these  funeral  orations  have  come  down 
to  us — one  from  Lysias,  and  one  from  Pericles. 
That  you  may  see  how  much  the  Greek  heart  and 
thought  was  like  our  own,  I  wish  to  quote  a  few 
sentences  from  the  oration  of  Pericles.  He  says, 
"Before  I  praise  the  dead,  I  should  like  to  point  out 
by  what  principles  of  action  we  rose  to  power,  and 
under  what  institutions  and  through  what  manner  of 
life  our  nation  became  great."  And  in  eulogy  of  the 
dead,  he  says,  "  Their  loftiest  praise  has  been  alreacly 
spoken ;  for  in  magnifying  the  city  I  have  magnified 
them,  and  men  like  them,  whose  virtues  made  her 
glorious.  They  ran  away  from  the  world  of  dis- 
honor; but  on  the  battle  field  their  feet  stood  fast. 


476  TUPELO. 

And  in  an  instant,  at  the  height  of  their  fortune, 
they  passed  away  from  the  scene,  not  of  their  fear, 
but  of  their  glory."  These  words  are  as  fit  to  be 
spoken  here  to-day,  as  in  Athens  twenty-five  centuries 
ago. 

Of  all  peoples,  we  can  least  afford  to  be  unmindful 
of  our  nation's  dead.  It  is  therefore  most  fitting  that 
here,  amid  the  vernal  glories  of  the  opening  year,  we 
should  turn  aside  from  the  rushing  current  of  events, 
and  from  the  thronging  cares  which  our  prosperity 
has  brought  upon  us,  and  from  our  hearts  do  honor 
to  the  men  whose  death  made  this  prosperity  possi- 
ble. It  is  not  enough  that  tkeir  heroic  deeds  are 
recorded  in  books  of  history. 

"  For  though  their  names  were  graven  on  the  sky, 
To  be  forever  read  by  every  eye," 

still  the  affection  of  a  grateful,  loving  people  would 
seek  in  some  such  way  as  this  to  give  suitable  ex- 
pression to  the  patriotic  devotion  it  enkindles.  No 
words  of  mine  can  fitly  speak  the  eulogy  demanded 
by  this  hour.  And  if  eulogy  were  the  whole  duty 
of  this  occasion,  it  would  seem  to  me  more  fitting 
that  we  should  stand  with  bated  breath  and  uncov- 
ered heads,  about  these  graves,  which  appeal  to  us 
with  a  mute  eloquence,  more  impressive  far  than 
speech. 

But  the  observance  of  this  day  is  not  for  the  good  or 
pleasure  of  those  whose  graves  we  have  decorated  with 
flowers.  They  are  careless  of  the  offerings  we  bring. 
They  are  heedless  to  the  praises  we  utter  above  them. 


TUPELO.  477 

These  ceremonies  are  not  for  their  sakes,  but  for  our 
own.  The  dead  clamor  not  for  our  recognition,  but 
we  cannot  afford  to  withhold  it.  When  a  nation  be- 
comes negligent  of  its  dead,  that  nation  will  soon  be 
neglected  by  its  living.  "When  a  people  cease  to 
glory  in  their  past,  there  will  probably  be  little 
worthy  of  glory  in  their  future. 

It  is  the  purpose  of  this  observance,  not  only  to 
express  patriotic  gratitude  and  devotion,  but  also  to 
quicken  and  intensify  them.  The  palace  walls  at 
Versailles  are  hung  with  paintings  representing  all 
that  is  glorious  and  heroic  in  French  history.  One 
has  said  of  them,  "  If  I  were  emperor  of  the  French, 
before  I  sent  my  soldiers  to  battle,  I  would  march 
them  through  these  galleries,  and  I  think  I  should 
thus  make  them  invincible."  We  stand  in  thought 
to-day  before  the  heroism  of  the  war.  Let  me  point 
out  some  ways  in  which  this  occasion  may  be  made  to 
quicken  and  strengthen  the  patriotic  sentiments  of 
our  people. 

This  memorial  service  revives  memories  of  the 
war.  Twenty-three  years  have  passed  since  the  close 
of  the  war ;  so  it  has  almost  become  an  event  of  a 
past  generation.  These  years  have  been  too  full  of 
exciting  events  to  allow  men  to  live  much  in  the 
past.  A  look  backward  to  the  close  of  the  war 
reveals  to  us  the  wonderful  progress  this  nation  has 
made  in  a  quarter  of  a  century.  It  would  not  be  in 
place  here  to  dwell  upon  the  details  of  this  progress; 
but  these  have  been  years  of  activity,  and  not  of  re- 


478  TUPELO. 

flection  on  the  past.  Besides,  those  reminders  of  the 
war,  at  first  so  numerous,  the  maimed  and  crippled 
soldiers  upon  our  streets,  have  become  less  and  less 
frequent,  as  these  enfeebled  veterans  have  dropped 
into  their  graves  before  their  time.  The  parents  who 
sent  sons  to  the  war,  are  dead,  or  decrepit  with  age. 
The  girls  whose  hearts  went  to  the  front  with  the 
"  brave  boys,"  are  elderly  matrons  now,  and  the  sol- 
dier's baby  now  has  children  of  his  own.  A  few 
among  us  to-day  will  cross  these  years  by  one  leap 
of  thought,  and,  neglectful  of  all  the  years  have  been, 
or  brought  to  them,  will  live  over  again  the  days 
from  '61  to  '65 — the  enlistment,  the  drill,  the  excite- 
ment of  battle,  the  monotony  of  camp,  and  all  the 
experiences  of  war  which  none  can  picture  but  he  who 
has  had  them.  These  will  come  back  to  the  soldier- 
to-day  as  he  stands  by  the  graves  of  his  comrades. 
Others  will  remember  the  loneliness  when  the  boys 
had  gone,  the  waiting  for  news,  the  suspense  after 
battle,  the  reading  long  lists  of  names  of  killed  and 
wounded,  in  search  of  one  name,  the  anxiety  for  the 
boys  in  the  hospital,  or  worse,  in  some  southern 
prison.  How  these  memories  rush  in  upon  us  to-day 
—the  waiting  for  news,  the  ebb  and  flow  of  feeling 
they  brought,  the  peril  of  the  situation,  and  the  fears 
as  to  the  outcome.  Let  us  open  wide  the  windows 
of  our  souls,  and  give  these  memories  free  play;  and 
we  shall  be  all  the  better  for  them. 

But  this  observance  is  not  only  fruitful  in  tender 
memories,  but  is  potent  also  as  an  instructor.     A  new 


TUPELO.  479 

generation  has  come  to  manhood  and  citizenship  since 
the  Avar.  A  large  majority  of  our  people  have  no 
personal  knowledge  or  recollection  of  its  events. 
Among  these  are  not  less  than  two  million  voters. 
Very  soon  all  the  men  who  defended  the  nation,  in 
its  years  of  peril,  will  have  dropped  out  of  public 
life.  Already  the  places  of  trust  and  power  are 
passing  into  the  hands  of  men  who  have  paid  no 
price  for  the  nation's  life.  It  has  been  thought  that 
frequent  times  of  peril  are  necessary  to  prevent  the 
decay  of  patriotism.  Rather  let  us  keep  our  people 
so  familiar  with  our  past  perils,  that  patriotism  shall 
not  die.  A  written  history  has  never  been  found 
sufficient  for  any  people.  The  Hebrews  were  re- 
quired, at  each  returning  season,  with  sprinkled  blood, 
and  staff  in  hand,  to*  eat  the  hasty  meal  of  bitter 
herbs,  and  unleavened  bread,  thus  re-enacting  the 
scenes  of  that  historic  night  when  their  fathers  es- 
caped from  Egyptian  bondage.  Jesus  provided  for  the 
writing  of  the  Gospels,  yet  at  the  last  hour  he  insti- 
tuted a  simple  feast,  saying,  "Do  this  in  remembrance 
of  me."  So  the  church  and  the  state  have  found  a 
necessity  for  these  memorial  occasions  in  the  fact  that 
most  people  learn  history  in  no  other  way.  When 
Israel  was  commanded  to  keep  the  Passover,  this  was 
assigned  as  one  of  its  uses:  "  When  your  children 
shall  say  unto  you,  'what  mean  ye  by  this  service?' 
then  ye  shall  say,  '  It  is  the  sacrifice  of  the  Lord's 
Passover,  who  passed  over  the  houses  of  the  children 
of  Israel  in  Egypt,  when  He  smote  the  first-born  and 


480  TUPELO. 

delivered  our  houses.' ''  Men  are  ever  debtors  to  the 
past,  for  those  inspirations  which  make  great  futures. 
As  the  eager  Elisha,  gazing  after  the  receding  chariot, 
caught  the  mantle  of  the  ascending  prophet ;  so  by 
studiously  regarding  the  past,  we  become  heir  to  its 
spirit,  and  emulous  of  its  achievement.  Alexander 
the  Great  was  fascinated  by  Homer's  Iliad.  When  a 
boy,  he  slept  with  it  under  his  pillow.  When  a 
young  man  he  crossed  the  ^Egean,  and  kneeling  at 
the  shrine  of  his  illustrious  ancestor,  Achilles,  he 
there  gathered,  we  are  told,  his  inspiration  for  his 
tour  of  Eastern  conquest.  So  let  America,  year  by 
year,  gather  her  young  men  about  the  graves  of  her 
heroic  dead,  and  there  teach  them  the  virtues  that 
inspired  their  fathers  in  her  time  of  peril.  Tell  them 
that  500,000  lives  laid  down,  a'nd  as  many  more  cut 
short  by  wounds  and  ill  health,  was  the  price  paid 
for  their  peace  and  prosperity.  Tell  them  of  Shiloh 
and  Vicksburg,  of  Gettysburg  and  the  Wilderness, 
of  Libby  and  Andersonville.  If  you  would  have 
men  willing  to  die  for  their  country  in  the  future, 
you  must  let  them  see  that  the  nation  appreciates  and 
honors  those  who  have  died  for  her  in  the  past. 

Let  us  learn  here  in  the  presence  of  these  graves, 
how  closely,  and  how  necessarily,  death  and  life  are 
bound  up  together.  There  is  no  life  that  springs  not 
forth  from  the  darkness  of  death.  Even  these  flowers, 
with  which,  as  emblems  of  immortality,  we  have 
decorated  these  graves,  were  gathered  from  the  sepul- 
cher  of  last  year's  glory — this  is  the  law  of  nature. 


TUPELO.  481 

The  chariot,  wheels  of  civilization  have  ever  been 
lubricated  with  human  blood;  and  gory  battle  fields 
have  ever  been  the  way  marks  of  human  progress — 
this  is  the  law  of  civilization.  Enter  a  yet  higher 
realm.  You  hear  him  who  is  above  all,  say,  "  The 
hour  is  come  that  the  Son  of  man  shall  be  glorified." 
But  how  is  he  to  be  glorified  ?  "  Except  a  corn  of 
wheat  fall  into  the  ground,  and  die,  it  abideth  alone ; 
but  if  it  die  it  bringeth  forth  much  fruit."  No  truth 
is  more  historic  than  that  of  vicarious  sacrifice — of 
some  suffering,  and  dying,  that  others  may  live  and 
be  happy.  "  Xo  man  liveth  unto  himself,  and  no 
man  dieth  unto  himself." 

Let  us  learn,  then,  as  another  lesson  of  this  hour, 
that  unselfishness,  and  generous  public  spirit  are  the 
conditions  and  measure  of  our  usefulness — that,  be- 
ing such  debtors  to  the  past,  we  have  no  right  to  live 
selfish  lives — that  he  who  does  not  contribute  to  the 
common  weal,  as  he  has  received  from  it,  goes  to  his 
grave  a  defaulter  in  trusts  more  sacred  than  funds 
and  stocks.  The  debt  we  owe  to  the  past,  we  are  to 
pay  to  the  future.  Already,  hands  are  stretched  out 
to  us,  authorized  to  receive  God's  per  cent  on  the 
blessings  we  enjoy. 

"  Not  to  ourselves  are  we  living; 

Not  to  ourselves  do  we  die. 
Freely  receiving  and  giving, 

Soul  after  soul  marches  by. 
Parts  of  one  mighty  procession, 

Stretching  from  Eden's  first  dawn, 

31 


482  TUPELO. 

On  through  long  curves  of  progression, 

'Til  in  the  future  'tis  gone — 
Gone  from  earth's  ken,  past  heart-beat  and  breath 

Into  the  life  that  is  miscalled  death." 

No  memorial  service  for  the  dead  can  be  sincerely 
observed  which  does  not  more  deeply  impress  us  with 
the  sacredness  of  the  trusts  they  have  left  to  our 
keeping.  True  honor  to  the  dead  soldier  is  closely 
bound  up  with  conscientious  fidelity  to  his  surviving 
comrades.  They  are  among  us,  maimed,  crippled, 
sightless,  bearing  all  sorts  of  disabilities  as  the  result 
of  their  service  in  the  war.  As  they  drop  into  their 
graves  from  these  disabilities,  we  deem  them  worthy 
of  like  honor  to  those  who  died  in  battle.  Far  more 
pleasing  to  them  shall  be  the  tokens  of  recognition 
and  reward  that  are  ministered  to  them  while  they  are 
living,  than  honors  when  they  are  dead.  It  has 
been  said  that  "Westminster  Abbey  and  monumental 
Greenwood  are  the  world's  atttempt  to  atone  by 
honors  to  the  dead,  for  wrongs  to  the  living."  Let 
not  Decoration  Day  come  into  this  condemnation. 
There  are  those  participating  in  these  ceremonies  who 
will  live  into  a  generation  which  shall  regard  with 
peculiar  reverence  the  surviving  soldier  of  the  war 
of  the  rebellion.  Are  they  worthy  of  less  honor  be- 
cause not  now  objects  of  curiosity?  All  honor  then 
to  these  brave  veterans  who  are  still  among  us,  as 
connecting  links  between  the  present  and  the  past; 
and  as  one  by  one  they  go  to  join  their  comrades  in 
the  "silent  land,"  may  men  arise  to  take  their  places, 


TUPELO.  483 

who  will  be  as  brave  and  true  to  the  future  as  they 
have  been  to  the  past. 

But  our  heroic  dead  have  bequeathed  to  us  a  trust 
more  sacred  still — more  sacred  to  us  than  their  mem- 
ories or  their  comrades,  as  it  was  more  sacred  to  them 
than  their  lives.  If  these  dead  soldiers  could  speak 
to  us  from  their  graves,  I  think  they  would  say, 
"  We  are  not  so  careful  that  you  should  perpetuate  our 
names,  as  that  you  shall  guard  the  nation's  honor 
for  which  we  fought.  We  are  not  so  much  concerned 
that  you  should  cherish  our  memories,  as  that  you 
shall  cherish  the  principles  for  which  we  laid  down 
our  lives."  There  is  cause  for  rejoicing  in  that  the 
bitterness  and  animosity  engendered  by  the  war  is  so 
rapidly  disappearing,  and  that  we  seem  to  be  ap- 
proaching a  national  unity,  never  yet  realized  in  the 
history  of  this  country.  Yet  this  very  fact  imperils 
the  principles  M'hich  were  at  issue  during  the  war. 
I  honor  the  bravery  of  the  men  who  fought  against 
us.  I  believe  most  of  them  were  honest  in  their 
convictions.  Yet  we  must  remember  that  neither 
honesty  in  embracing  convictions,  nor  bravery  in  de- 
fending them,  can  make  men's  convictions  right,  or 
their  principles  true.  Passions  cool,  prejudices 
change  with  situation,  men  die,  and  are  forgotten ; 
but  truths  and  principles  are  apart  from  all  these, 
.and  do  not  die  or  change.  A  man's  honesty  may  be 
sufficient  apology  for  his  espousal  of  a  cause,  but  it 
does  not  make  that  cause  right  or  excusable. 

The  American  people  need  to  remember  that  the 


484  TUPELO. 

Trojans  resisted  a  siege  of  ten  years,  and  then  fell 
before  the  stratagem  of  the  wooden  horse.  It  has 
been  said  that  "  Peace  hath  its  victories,  not  less  re- 
nowned than  war."  It  has  also  its  emergencies  not 
less  perilous,  and  its  defeats  not  less  disastrous.  Let 
us  beware,  lest  the  scheming  politician,  in  his  selfish 
lust  for  place  and  gain,  shall  deceive  us  into  a  sur- 
render of  that  which  an  armed  host  was  unable  to 
wrest  from  us.  A  nation,  so  valiant  upon  the  battle 
field  should  stand  invincible  against  every  foe — upon 
the  moral  and  political  field  as  well  as  on  the  fields 
of  war. 

I  do  not  forget  that  the  spirit  and  sentiments  for 
which  I  am  now  pleading  are  so  well  guarded  and 
emphasized  by  the  two  distinguished  societies  under 
whose  auspices  we  have  met  to-day — the  Grand  Army 
of  the  Republic  and  the  Woman's  Relief  Corps. 
The  honorable  place  which  public  opinion  has  ac- 
corded these  societies  shows  how  widely  the  popular 
heart  responds  to  these  sentiments.  I  only  ask  the 
perpetuity  of  these  conditions,  and  we  shall  thus  ren- 
der permanent  the  fruits  of  the  war. 

At  the  close  of  the  war,  when  the  armies  of  the 
rebellion  had  surrendered,  it  was  well  known  that 
the  surrender  did  not  carry  with  it  the  feeling  of  dis- 
loyalty among  the  southern  people.  At  that  moment 
a  vexing  problem  presented  itself  to  thoughtful  men 
— how  can  a  people  so  divided  in  their  convictions, 
convictions  intensified  by  the  sacrifices  of  war,  ever 
again  become  so  united  in  heart  as  to  be  in  fact  one 


TUPELO.  485 

people?  We  now  stand  far  enough  from  the  war  to 
foresee  the  solution  of  this  problem.  One  evening, 
while  the  two  armies  were  facing  each  other  across 
the  Rappahannock,  the  military  bands  on  each  side 
of  the  river  were  rendering  their  favorite  national 
airs.  When  the  Confederate  bands  played  "Dixie," 
the  southern  soldiers  cheered.  Then  the  Union 
bands  played  "Hail  Columbia,"  and  the  Union  army 
cheered.  After  the  bands  had  thus  answered  each 
other  back  and  forth,  some  band  began  playing 
"  Home  Sweet  Home."  As  soon  as  the  tune  was 
detected,  all  the  bauds  joined,  and  when  it  was  fin- 
ished both  armies  together  set  up  a  shout  that  made 
the  valleys  ring.  This  is  a  picture  of  the  way  in 
which  this  problem  is  being  solved.  Not  by  accusa- 
tion, reply,  and  rejoinder,  but  by  the  timely  on-com- 
ing of  issues  and  enterprises,  apart  from  the  matters 
in  dispute,  and  of  common  interest  to  both  sections 
of  the  country.  With  the  return  of  peace  came  a 
time  of  unparalleled  activity. 

Vast  and  fertile  domains  invited  settlement ;  great 
commercial  and  manufacturing  enterprises  sprang 
into  existence;  marvelous  inventions  with  surprising 
rapidity  revolutionized  the  mechanical  agencies  of 
the  country.  A  new  generation  has  come  to  the 
.front  identified  with  these  new  conditions,  rather 
than  with  the  old.  In  this  I  find  both  explanation 
and  prophecy  ot  the  fast  approaching  unification  of 
the  two,  once  hostile  sections  of  this  country.  You 
have  but  to  recur  to  history,  to  be  reminded  how 


486  TUPELO. 

differently  other  conditions  might  have  affected  us. 
You  know  how  strifes  of  far  less  moment  have  pro- 
tracted their  bitterness  through  centuries.  You 
know  how  the  petty  feuds  between  the  Scottish  clans 
were  passed  as  cherished  heirlooms  from  one  gener- 
ation to  another.  When  I  consider  the  character  of 
the  issues  which  divided  the  North  and  South,  and 
produced  the  war,  the  long  period  through  which 
they  were  matured  and  strengthened,  and  the  tenacity 
with  which  they  were  fought  over,  it  is  not  so  surpris- 
ing to  me  that  there  have  been  some  displays  of  the 
old-time  bitterness,  since  the  war,  as  that  there  have 
been  so  few  of  them.  I  find  cause  for  rejoicing  and 
confidence  in  the  fact  that  twenty-three  years  have 
done  so  much  to  cool  the  passions  and  unite  the  hearts 
of  the  old  combatants. 

If  we  turn  away  from  this  observance  with  a 
higher  appreciation  of  what  this  nation  has  cost,  and 
hence,  of  what  it  is  worth,  with  a  deeper  sense  of  our 
indebtedness  to  the  past,  and  so  of  our  responsibility 
to  the  future,  and  with  a  truer  purpose  to  act  well 
our  part,  this  day  will  not  have  been  spent  in  vain. 


There  is  a  land  of  every  land  the  pride. 
Beloved  by  heaven  o'er  all  the  world  beside, 
Where  brighter  suns  dispense  serener  light, 
And  milder  nioons  imparadise  the  night. 
Oh,  thou  shalt  find  howe'er  thy  footsteps  roam 
That  land  thy  country,  and  that  land  thy  home. 


TUPELO.  487 


MEMORIAL  SERMON. 

The  following  memorial  sermon  was  delivered  by 
Rev.  W.  F.  Slocuru,  pastor  of  the  Bethany  Baptist 
church,  of  Wooster,  on  Sunday  morning,  May  30, 
1886,  on  which  occasion  Given  Post,  No.  133,  G.  A. 
R.,  and  Hancock  Camp,  Xo.  100,  Sons  of  Veterans, 
were  present  in  a  body : 

Luke  xvi.  7:     "  And  how  much  o\vest  thou?" 

THE  DEBT  OF  THE  LIVING  TO  THE  DEAD. 

For  the  most  part  I  shall  confine  my  remarks  to 
that  subject  made  so  significant  by  the  return  of  this 
season  of  the  year,  viz. — "  The  debt  we  owe  to  the 
departed  heroes  of  our  country." 

The  relation  of  the  living  to  the  dead  is  one  of 
large  and  various  meaning.  AVe  are  the  heirs  of  all 
the  generations  gone.  We  inherit  their  works,  their 
examples,  as  we  do  their  names  and  dwelling- 
places.  We  are  their  successors.  We  are  here 
to  reap  that  which  we  have  not  sown ;  other  men 
have  had  conflicts  and  labors  and  we  are  entered 
into  their  labors.  They  prepared  for  us  largely 
the  conditions  and  pursuits  of  the  lives  we  are 
enjoying  to-day.  AVe  are  their  pupils.  They  teach 
us  grand  lessons  of  both  humility  and  of  cour- 
age ;  for  we  learn  of  them  both  how  small  and  how 
great  we  are.  Lying  in  the  dust  with  which  our 
own  is  soon  to  be  mingled,  they  rebuke  our  pride; 
yet  they  save  us  from  a  feeling  of  nothingness  and 


488  TUPELO. 

from  brutish  views  of  life  by  reminding  us  of  the 
dignity,  the  indestructible  worth,  and  the  undying 
power  of  every  good  and  earnest  deed.  From  the 
heavenly  heights  they  send  us  down  sweet  messages 
of  cheer,  as  we  toil  along  the  journey  of  our  brief 
day. 

"  Mortal,"  they  softly  say,  "  peace  to  thy  heart  ! 
We,  too,  yes,  mortal,  have  been  as  thou  art ; 
Hope-lifted,  doubt-depressed,  seeing  in  part. 
Tried,  troubled,  tempted,  sustained  as  thou  art." 

This  relation  signifies  obligation  to  them.  We 
are  their  debtors ;  and  that  not  only  in  an  account 
that  cannot  be  paid,  but  also  in  duties  that  we  can 
render.  It  is  to  perform  one  of  these  duties  that 
you  are  now  gathered  here,  and  will  visit  the  silent 
city  of  the  dead  to-morrow. 

Our  obligations  to  those  whose  graves  we  shall  to- 
morrow visit  and  crown  with  garlands  of  honor  is 
peculiar.  It  arises  from  the  fact  that  they  volun- 
tarily laid  down  their  lives  in  the  public  cause.  It 
appeals  to  us  all  as  citizens  and  as  patriots.  They 
died  for  us,  and  their  dying  was  the  cost  of  benefits 
Ave  live  to  partake.  It  requires  us  to  guard  their 
names  from  oblivion,  and  to  make  the  story  of 
their  sacrifice,  as  a  power  in  the  world,  perpetual. 
And  while  the  whole  nation  is  sacredly  bound  to  do 
this,  it  is  especially  fitting  that  you,  their  comrades, 
should  be  foremost  in  the  work.  For  in  an  especial 
manner  you  were  in  fellowship  with  these  heroes ; 
yes,  and  are  in  fellowship  with  them  still.  To  you 


TUPELO.  489 

they  will  always  be  what  they  cannot  be  to  any  who 
were  not  permitted  to  share  with  them,  as  you  did, 
the  days,  and  scenes  and  experiences  that  made  you 
comrades.  You  feel  that  the  glorious  fraternity  of 
the  camp,  the  march,  the  battle,  the  trenches,  the 
vigils  that  wearied  out  the  stars,  is  not  one  that  can 
be  dissolved  by  death,  and  that  those  of  your  own 
companions  in  war  who  have  halted  and  lain  down 
in  the  bivouac  no  earthly  trumpet  can  disturb,  are 
yet  of  you,  and  so  forevermore  will  be  ! 

But  appropriate  as  is  the  tribute  of  tender  and 
sacred  recollections,  which  we  are  to  pay  their  mem- 
ory now,  it  is  by  no  means  the  only  tribute  they 
claim  at  our  hearts  and  hands  as  the  most  precious. 
It  does  not  discharge  our  full  obligations.  There  is 
something  far  more  binding  upon  us  than  this  or  any 
similar  act  of  fidelity.  If  we  would  truly  honor 
these  illustrious  dead  we  must  gird  up  our  loins  in  a 
strong  purpose  to  see  to  it  that  their  work  for  the 
world  and  humanity  does  follow  them ;  else  we  are 
not  worthy  to  call  them  our  saviours,  still  less  to 
survive  them.  Though  year  after  year,  for  all  the 
future,  we  strew  their  graves  with  flowers ;  though 
we  carve  their  names  in  the  imperishable  stone; 
though  immortal  words  embalm  their  deeds,  all  will 

~  t 

be  hollow  and  empty  and  insufficient  unless  we  take 
up  their  fallen  mantle  to  wear  it  sacredly — a  high 
and  solemn  trust — till  we,  too,  go  the  way  of  all  the 
earth.  The  tremendous  facts  that  surround  every 
life  are  enough  to  make  it  earnest,  but  here  an 


490  TUPELO. 

especial  inspiration,  one  of  the  strongest  that  can  be 
sent  upon  man,  is  given  to  stir  us  to  noble  intensity 
in  action.  It  is  the  inspiration  which  comes  from 
the  thought  that  these  men  and  comrades — the  most 
beloved  sons  of  a  great  republic — poured  their  blood 
on  liberty's  altar  as  an  atonement  for  transgressions 
against  humanity,  and  that  a  nation  might  be  saved. 
The  Spartan  band  of  Leonidas  at  the  Pass  of  Ther- 
mopylae were  not  more  heroic  and  self-sacrificing ; 
Curtius,  who  leaped  into  the  yawning  gulf  to  sasre 
with  his  own  life  his  nation's  life,  was  not  more 
daring.  Do  \ve  not  owe  them,  therefore,  the  hom- 
age "we  so  willingly  render  to-day,  and  much  more 
beside.  They  were  not  only  patriotic  and  brave  and 
daring,  but  they  were  martyrs  also.  The  support- 
ers of  a  religion  gave  their  lives  for  a  principle. 
These  martyrs  of  patriotism  gave  their  lives  for  an 
idea.  It  was  the  grand  idea  of  American  nation- 
ality that  inspired  them  to  sacrifice,  and  transformed 
them  from  peaceful  citizens  into  patriotic  heroes. 
Their  language  to  us  to-day  is,  "  Hear  us,  ye  living 
comrades,  who  so  lately  pressed  our  hands  !  and  you 
neighbors,  friends,  and  citizens  of  this  great  Repub- 
lic !  We  died  while  the  blood  was  leaping  in  the 
pulses  of  our  prime.  It  is  due  us  that  in  you  our  hope 
shall  be  fulfilled.  We  suffered ;  let  your  steps  never 
falter  in  the  face  of  trial.  We  laid  our  young  heads 
down ;  we  gave  "  our  lives ;  give  yours  freely, 
wholly,  purely,  to  the  defence  of  that  which  is  noble, 
worthy,  and  right.  You  owe  it  to  us  and  also  to 


TUPELO.  491 

yourselves,  and  to  your  God,  to  complete  the  work 
which  we  have  begun.  Bending  from  the  heavens 
above  as  they  plead  with  us  to-day  to  be  faithful  and 
good  citizens,  to  be  just,  yet  merciful ;  to  put  aside 
all  hatred  and  uncharitableness,  to  guard  our  liber- 
ties with  holy  zeal,  and  always  to  remember  at  how 
great  a  cost  the  nation  kept  its  liberty. 

Ignoble,  thrice  ignoble,  shall  we  be  if  we  are  found 
to  care  for  ease,  fearful  of  hardship.  We  shall  dis- 
honor their  memories  if  we  prove  faithless  to  their 
example.  Let  us  then  dedicate  ourselves  to  the  un- 
finished work  they  have  thus  far  so  nobly  carried 
on.  Let  us  honor  their  memories  by  an  increased 
devotion  to  the  cause  for  which  they  gave  the  last 
full  measure  of  devotion.  Let  us  highly  resolve 
that  the  dead  shall  not  have  died  in  vain. 

And  know  this,  that  if  the  spirit  which  moves  us 
to  strew  the  hero's  grave  with  floral  offerings  is  as 
perishable  as  the  flowers  themselves,  the  offerings 
will  prove  of  little  permanent  value  to  the  living  or 
the  dead.  The  memorial  service  of  any  year  will  be  a 
most  shameless,  wanton  mockery,  if  our  souls  are  not 
filled  with  that  high  and  holy  resolve  which  in- 
spired them.  The  dead,  with  stout  hearts,  fought 
with  patriotic  zeal  W7hile  in  life  against  their  coun- 
try's foes — against  the  enemies  of  liberty  and  hu- 
manity. 

I  repeat,  we  shall  dishonor  their  memories  if  we 
prove  faithless  to  their  example. 

While  their  lives  ebbed  out  on  the  bloodv  field  of 


492  TUPELO. 

battle,  or  they  died  more  slowly  of  wounds,  want,  or 
disease  in  hospital  or  prison,  their  country  remained 
a  great  beacon  light  of  liberty — the  last  hope  of  free- 
dom to  the  oppressed. 

We  chant  the  story  of  their  greatness  by  singing 
to  the  world  of  the  deeds  accomplished,  successes 
gained,  and  the  results  obtained  through  their  per- 
sonal sacrifices. 

But  for  the  uncounted  number  of  the  dead  and 
their  living  comrades,  the  government  of  the  people, 
by  the  people,  and  for  the  people,  would  have  per- 
ished from  the  earth.  The  great  Webster  said  :  "  No 
age  will  come  in  which  the  American  Revolution  will 
appear  less  than  it  is — one  of  the  greatest  events  in 
human  history."  The  second  war  for  freedom  when 
measured  by  the  principles  at  issue,  the  numbers  en- 
gaged, the  battles  fought,  the  blood  spilled,  the  lives 
lost,  the  supreme  moral  grandeur  of  the  final  tri- 
umph, and  the  glory  incident  to  the  results  attained, 
strips  all  semblance  of  prophecy  from  the  statement 
that  no  age  will  come  in  which  the  recent  great  Amer- 
ican Rebellion  will  appear  less  than  it  is — the  great 
event  in  human  history. 

There  are  before  me  men  (and  women,  too)  who 
have  seen  rebellion  face  to  face — have  seen  it  in 
its  power  and  might ;  have  witnessed  it  in  its  first 
blush  of  defiance  and  hope ;  have  seen  it  in  exulta- 
tion of  temporary  success  and  joy  ;  have  seen  its  sul- 
len perseverance  and  strength;  have  seen  it  in 
desperation  and  despair;  have  seen  it  in  its  final 


TUPELO.  493 

overthrow  and  destruction.  Yea,  they  have  beheld 
more — they  have  seen  the  black  national  crime  of 
human  slavery,  the  prime  cause  of  the  rebellion, 
wiped  out  forever  and  rendered  no  longer  possible 
under  the  mantle  of  our  free  constitutional  govern- 
ment. They  have  witnessed  both  civilization  and 
Christianity  move  forward  and  ascend  higher.  The 
rebellion  was  not  all  an  evil  if  we  garner  well  and 
preserve  the  good  fruits  born  of  the  victories  won 
both  on  the  field  of  battle  and  in  the  forum  of  leg- 
islation. 

But  for  the  Rebellion  and  its  defeats  we  should  still 
have  a  country,  one-half  of  which  would  be  teeming 
with  millions  of  God's  people  wearing  the  yoke  and 
galling  fetters  of  slavery  under  the  name  of  consti- 
tutional liberty.  But  for  the  Rebellion,  liberty  to 
these  millions  would  still  be  a  lying  mockery. 

But  for  the  Rebellion,  there  would  have  been  a 
dominant  part  of  the  citizens  of  our  Republic  who 
would  have  continued  to  disobey  the  divine  com- 
mand :  "  In  the  sweat  of  thy  face  shalt  thou  eat 
bread ; "  and  they  would  be  yet  engaged  in  eating 
bread  earned  by  the  sweat  of  the  face  of  their  unfor- 
tunate and  still  untutored  black  brethren. 

But  for  the  Rebellion,  civilization  and  Christianity 
would  have  stood  still  in  at  least  one-half  of  the 
territory  of  this  Union.  But  for  the  complete  over- 
throw of  the  Rebellion,  two  flags  would  have  floated 
over  the  inhabitants  of  a  divided  country,  and  at 
least  one  new  nation  would  have  been  in  being,  hav- 


491  TUPELO. 

ing  for  its  primal  object  the  preservation  and  perpet- 
uation of  human  slavery. 
Truly  may  it  be  said  : 

"  O,  not  in  vain  our  martyrs  sighed 
And  not  in  vain  our  heroes  died." 

Keeping  in  view  the  importance  and  sublimity  of 
the  recent  great  struggle,  as  viewed  in  the  light  of 
the  present,  let  us  assume  to  plant  ourselves  in  the 
afternoon  of  the  next  century,  and  observe,  not  so 
much  the  events  as  the  results  of  the  Avar.  In  doing 
this  we  must  assume  that  reasonable  progress  in  re- 
finement, the  arts,  and  Christian  civilization  will 
continue. 

The  historian  of  that  day,  in  the  light  of  such 
progress,  will  accurately  measure  the  effect  of  the 
triumphs,  and  justly  judge  of  the  deeds  done  and  the 
men  who  participated  in  them. 

Then  the  true  distinction  between  patriotism  and 
disloyalty  will  be  made;  then  those  who  have  believed 
or  now  believe  in  or  excuse  human  slavery  will  be 
properly  classified  ;  then  those  who  fought  against 
slavery  and  for  universal  constitutional  liberty  will 
be  awarded  the  true  patriot's  place. 

While  it  may  be  for  this  generation  to  forgive 
those  who  assailed  the  free  institution  of  a  govern- 
ment of  the  people,  it  will  be  for  him  to  portray  the 
truth  of  history  and  honor  those  who  unfurled  their 
banners  in  the  cause  of  liberty. 

Then  will  the  Union  dead  be  honored  as  those 
who  fought  and  died  to  preserve  their  country  a 


TUPELO.  495 

"  beacon  of  liberty "  to  all  mankind.  Then  lisp- 
ing infants  will  be  taught  to  chant  the  story  of  their 
fame.  Then  will  be  depicted  in  glowing  colors  the 
long  suffering,  lofty  purposes,  heroic  bearing,  and 
noble  spirit  of  those  who  fell  doing  battle  in  freedom's 
cause. 

"  That  cause  in  which  we  waved  the  sword  on  high, 
And  swore  with  her  to  live,  for  her  to  die. " 

This  is  not  a  fitting  occasion  to  utter  words  of  re- 
proach of  the  living  or  the  dead;  nor  is  it  proper  to 
ignore  the  broad  distinction  between  the  patriot  and 
traitor.  The  misguided  dead  who  then  fell  fighting 
for  disunion  and  slavery  may  be  spoken  of  tenderly  ; 
also  the  living  who  fought  in  the  same  cause,  who 
when  Appomattox  came,  in  good  faith  accepted  the 
verdict  rendered.  Mercy  and  charity  demand  this 
much  but  no  more.  A  tribute  to  bravery  alone  is  idle 
and  empty.  Heroic  deeds  of  bravery  and  daring,  to 
be  commended,  must  be  coupled  with  patriotism,  love 
of  country,  or  some  achievements  in  the  interest  of 
humanity.  Men  who  merit  honor  and  commemora- 
tion when  dead,  achieve  success  and  perform  deeds 
of  valor  and  renown  in  a  good  and  holy  cause. 

Devotion  to  sound  principle  and  good  works  in 
peace  or  war  commands  the  approbation  of  the  wise 
and  good.  Those  who  fought  and  fell  for  national 
integrity  and  freedom  and  equality  of  all  men  before 
the  law  will  be  loved  and  adored  through  all  time. 

Had  the  French  Marshal  Moreau  fallen  at  Ho- 
henlinden  at  the  head  of  a  French  army,  and  not  at 


496  TUPELO. 

Dresden,  fighting  with  the  combined  despotisms  of 
his  country's  enemies  against  France  and  for  her  dis- 
memberment, he  would  have  had  a  nation  of  people 
to  honor  and  adore  his  name  and  perpetuate  his  fame. 
Had  Arnold  fallen  at  Saratoga  and  been  spared  his 
fall  at  West  Point,  his  bravery  and  renown  would 
have  been  placed  alongside  of  Warren  and  other 
distinguished  patriot  dead  of  the  war  of  the  Revolu- 
tion. 

Had  Jefferson  Davis  fallen  at  Buena  Vista  he 
would  have  been  spared  a  traitor's  fame  and  the 
humiliation  of  Irwinsville,  and  his  name  would  have 
been  registered  among  the  lovers  of  his  country. 
Had  Robert  E.  Lee  paid  the  penalty  of  devotion  to 
his  country  at  Mexico's  capital  he  would  have  been 
remembered  in  future  years  as  one  who  never  deserted 
his  country's  flag  in  the  hours  of  her  greatest  peril." 

In  our  late  war  there  was  a  distinction  between 
the  living  who  fought  for  and  those  who  fought 
against  the  Union,  and  death  does  not  obliterate  it. 
He  who  sought  the  Nation's  ruin  is  not  equal  in  our 
hearts  with  him  who  staked  all  in  her  defense. 

We  have  spoken  thus  of  the  dead,  their  achieve- 
ments, their  honor,  their  true  glory,  and  rendered  to 
them  a  full  meed  of  praise,  in  order  that  with  gar- 
lands of  love  and  devotion  we  may  crown  their  labors 
and  draw  new  inspiration  from  their  life  and  heroic 
death. 

The  history  of  all  nations  teaches  us  that  frequent 
recurrence  to  the  principles  which  animated  their 


TUPELO.  497 

patriots  in  times  of  peril  is  essential  to  the  preserva- 
tion and  perpetuation  of  the  results  of  their  grand 
achievements.  We,  the  living,  are  called  upon  by  the 
same  high  obligation  to  preserve  and  perpetuate  the 
results  of  these  achievements  as  were  the  dead  in  their 
time  called  upon  for  their  accomplishment. 

When  danger  threatens  we  should  imitate  their 
high  example. 

Imbued  with  their  patriotism,  their  love  of  consti- 
tutional liberty  and  the  spirit  of  nationality,  let  us 
transmit  these  qualities  to  our  posterity. 

Memory  with  averted  face  turns  sadly  back  to  a 
hundred  battle  fields,  and  as  I  recall  (as  best  one  can 
who  .took  no  active  part  therein)  how  the  dead  came 
trooping  back  with  gory  locks  and  faces  marble  white, 
to  reinspire  our  hearts  with  courage  for  the  doing  of 
the  right.  How  the  curtains  of  their  low  green  tents 
open  outward,  heedless  of  "Whittier's  sweet  verse, 
and  surrender  up  their  precious  charge  !  I  see  them 
now,  their  immortal  raiment  on,  and  mingling  in  our 
prayers  and  tears;  they  bid  you  keep  alive  in  your 
hearts  no  malice  and  hatred  toward  the  erring,  but 
unfailing  faith  in  the  power  of  truth  to  prevail.  As 
they  were  true  and  faithful  in  the  days  of  sacrifice, 
they  bid  you  to  be  true  and  faithful  in  the  day  of  a 
new  consecration.  As  they  died,  so  they  ask  us  to 
live,  that  the  continent  may  bloom  with  an  ampler 
freedom,  and  the  age  unfold  a  higher  civilization. 

Let  us  one  and  all  heed  the  voices  that  speak  to  us 
to-day  from  more  than  human  lips  !     Soon  tlie  flow- 
32 


498  TUPELO. 

ers  that  you  will  scatter  on  the  hero-brother's  grave 
will  fade  and  mingle  with  the  sod  they  cover,  their 
beauty  and  fragrance  lost  to  sight  and  sense.  Soon 
the'  sun  will  gild  new  scenes,  another  "Decoration 
Day"  with  all  its  sweet  recollections  will  have  gone. 
Its  story  told,  and  its  sacred  page  securely  clasped 
forever. 

As  the  work  of  love  and  devotion  closes  with  the 
morrow's  sun,  and  we  turn  again  for  another  year  to 
the  common  duties  of  life  with  renewed  pledges  and 
devotion  to  our  country  filling  our  hearts,  let  us  re- 
member that  our  Nation,  though  proud  and  mighty 
among  the  nations  of  the  world,  is  the  only  truly  free 
Republic  to  which  the  oppressed  of  all  lands  turn  their 
eyes,  and  also  to  remember  that  to  perpetuate  this 
love  and  devotion  to  freedom  is  our  great  calling. 

In  the  discharge  of  this  duty  you  will  be  called 
upon  to  enter  other  battle  fields  than  those  where  duty 
called  in  1861.  Fields  where  new  dangers  are  to  be 
faced  and  few  worldly  inspirations  to  urge  you  to 
victory.  Battle  fields  where  the  soldier  fights  single- 
handed,  alone,  in  the  dark,  with  an  invisible  enemy, 
an  enemy  whose  strength  he  has  not  measured,  but  fears 
it  may  be  greater  than  his  own.  Such  battles  are 
most  dreadful. 

Battles  where  blood  is  shed  are  but  comparatively 
rare  occurrences  in  the  world's  history,  but  these 
bloodless  battles,  in  which  hearts  struggle  and  break, 
or  else,  sustained  by  an  unfaltering  trust  in  the 
Great  Commander,  gain  victories,  are  a  continuous 


TUPELO.  499 

succession.  Every  day  sees  such  battles.  Never  a 
night  falls  in  which  myriads  are  not  drawn  out  in 
contest.  AVithout  are  fightings,  within  are  fears. 

The  character  of  the  enemies  to  be  met  on  these 
new  battle  fields  is  known  to  you  all.  The  world, 
the  flesh,  and  the  devil,  the  fascinations  and  allurements 
that  lie  about  us,  float  in  the  atmosphere,  lurk  in  the 
darkness,  gleam  in  the  sunshine,  "the  world";  the 
impulses, passions,  and  habits  that  dwell  in  the  flesh; 
the  wicked  thoughts',  the  false  reasoning,  the  empty 
hopes  that  are  put  into  the  mind  by  the  father  of  lies 
and  of  devils — these  are  the  desperate  enemies  which 
one  has  to  meet. 

There  is  no  such  thing  as  going  on  toward  heaven  and 
God  without  meeting  them.  Diabolians,  they  watch 
the  entrances  to  the  King's  highway.  They  clog  the 
steps  of  the  King's  servants.  They  shoot  their  arrows, 
sometimes  at  random,  sometimes  well  aimed,  at  those 
who  are  struggling  upward. 

Face  to  face  here  to-day  I  know  that  every  earnest 
soul  wants  to  learn  how  to  conquer  these  enemies, 
and  you  ask  me,  if  I  know  anything  about  it,  to  tell 
you;  for  you  have  had  your  struggles,  and  are  still 
having  them. 

AVhere  is  the  armory  in  which  I  can  find  the 
weapons  to  overcome  these  giants? 

When  David  was  going  out  to  meet  Goliath  of 
Gath,  Saul,  the  king,  put  on  him  his  own  helmet  and 
coat  of  mail  and  girded  his  great  sword  upon  the 
boy's  thigh,  but  the  shepherd  lad  "said,  "  I  cannot  go 


500  TUPELO. 

with  these."  He  went  without  them,  saying  to  the 
boastful  giant,  "I  come  to  thee  in  the  name  of  the 
Lord  of  Hosts,  this  clay  will  the  Lord  deliver  thee 
into  mine  hand;  and  I  will  smite  thee,  and  take  thine 
head  from  thee."  And  he  did  it. 

Victor  Hugo,  after  describing  the  battle  of  Water- 
loo, makes  this  comment  upon  Wellington's  victpry : 
"Was  it  possible  that  Napoleon  should  win  this 
battle?  We  answer  no?  Why?  Because  of  Wel- 
lington? Bluchcr?  No!  Because  of  God — Napo- 
leon had  been  impeached  before  the  Infinite  and  his  fall 
was  decreed.  He  vexed  God."  This  the  reply  of 
faith  to  that  sneer  of  self-confidence,  "God  favors  the 
heaviest  battalion,"  and  it  is  more  than  that.  Itis  Paul's 
declaration  over  again,  "Thanks  be  unto  God  which 
giveth  us  the  victory  through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ." 

In  this  thrilling  sentence  \ve  find  the  answer  to 
your  soul's  anxious  question.  God  can  give,  and  has 
given,  the  victory  to  those  who  give  themselves  to 
Him  and  who  put  their  trust  in  him.  Believe  it 
and  take  therefrom  the  comfort  and  encouragement 
you  need ! 

The  graves  of  our  dead  heroes  remind  us  that  there 
is  an  end  to  our  mortal  life.  Then  are  we  summoned 
to  bring  the  treasures  we  have  harvested  and  lay  them 
at  the  Great  Commander's  feet.  Every  talent  must 
be  surrendered  up,  and  the  increase  we  have  made, 
and  out  of  the  ground  of  sloth  and  sin  must  we  dig 
every  napkin  wherein  we  have  foolishly  hid  away 
any  gift.  With  saddened  countenance  the  dissipated 


TUPELO.  50 1 

prodigal  will  wander  back  from  his  husks  and  swine, 
and  from  his  plenteous  acres  the  faithful  husbandman 
will  go  laden  with  bountiful  sheaves. 

Xo  one  will  then  sorrow  that  he  manfully  walked 
the  path  of  duty,  though  he  trod  with  torn  and  bloody 
feet. 

Be  ours  the  way,  thorny  as  it  may  be,  that  leads 
us  to  an  immortal  crown.  Be  ours  the  way,  though 
it  leads  straight  through  Gethsemane's  garden,  and 
past  Calvary's  Cross,  that  gives  us  the  Great  Com- 
mander's plaudit — "  Well  done !"  To-day,  men  and 
women  who  seek  the  Eternal  City,  behold  a  lofty 
pile,  which  covers  many  a  rod  of  earth,  and  lifts  its 
lofty  dome  high  in  air,  beneath  whose  glittering  cross 
worshipers  reverently  bow  their  heads  and  offer  up 
their  silent  prayers  of  old;  mighty  genius,  gathering 
the  stone  from  the  quarry,  and  fitting  them  into  form, 
wrought  out  its  beauteous  proportions,  and  treading 
the  city's  busy  streets  he  caught  the  models  where- 
with to  fresco  the  fabric's  towering  walls.  Changing 
the  beggar  into  a  giant,  and  the  flower-girl  into  an 
angel,  his  brush  fastened  them  forever  on  dome  and 
ceiling ;  and  there  they  stand,  their  radiant  beauty 
grateful  to  eyes  that  wander  from  every  quarter  of 
the  habitable  earth.  And  there  that  venerable  pile, 
caught  up  from  neighboring  fields,  will  remain,  to 
astonish  and  delight  as  generations  come  and  go.  But 
above  and  about  us  towers  a  national  character  (a 
nobler  Vatican  or  St.  Peter's  than  Raphael's  brush 
could  paint  or  Angelo's  genius  plan),  lifting  high  its 


502  TUPELO. 

• 

mighty  dome  and  spreading  wide  its  arches,  the  crea- 
tures of  no  one  time  or  age.  In  the  building  of  this 
we  each  have  a  part,  a  duty  to  perform.  Out  of  the 
common  events  of  our  common  lives,  out  of  the  con- 
flicting passions  and  emotions  God  puts  into  human 
hearts,  out  of  the  thoughts  and  desires  He  puts  in 
human  brains,  what  pictures  niay  we  not  paint, 
beautiful  evermore  in  the  sight  of  man,  and  grateful 
to  the  eye  of  Him  who  paints  the  meadow  with  its 
loveliness,  and  inspires  the  genius  who  uses  the  brush 
and  the  chisel  ? 

Long  centuries  ago  in  that  city  made  holy  by  the 
feet  of  Him  who  brought  glad  tidings,  there  arose,  as 
if  by  magic,  the  temple  built  by  the  Danite  widow's 
skillful  son.  Away  off  on  Lebanon's  shaded  sides 
the  rough  woodman  swung  his  ax.  Along  Joppa's 
wild  castles  the  raftsman  plied  his  heavy  oar.  In 
deep  caverns  the  mystic  craftsman  squared  his  huge 
blocks  of  stone,  and  up  the  rugged  pathway  sweating 
oxen  bore  the  trophies  of  the  Hebrew  Mecca.  So  in 
solemn  silence  the  temple  daily  grew  until  the  fame 
thereof  spread  around  the  world.  In  this  way  goes 
on  the  Nation's  life.  Your  character  and  mine,  the 
work  we  do  in  our  several  places,  the  lives  we  live  in 
lofty  mountain  air  or  by  lowly  river,  the  characters 
we  form  out  of  the  wood  or  stone,  are  all  but  parts 
in  the  great  mosaic  of  our  country's  templo  wall. 
Oh,  let  us  then  seek  to  build  into  that  structure 
the  material  that  shall  outlast  the  ages,  knowing 
that  this  is  the  debt  we  owe  those  who  purchased 


TUPELO. 


503 


with  their  lives  the  blessings  we  as  citizens  to-day 
enjoy. 

' '  When  the  long  years  have  rolled  slowly  away, 
E'en  to  the  dawn  of  earth's  funeral  day, 
When  at  the  Archangel's  trumpet  and  tread, 
Rise  up  the  faces  and  forms  of  the  dead  ; 
When  the  great  world  its  last  judgment  awaits, 
When  the  blue  sky  shall  swing  open  the  gates, 
And  our  long  columns  march  silently  through, 
Past  the  great  Captain  for  final  review, 
Then  from  the  blood  that  has  flowed  for  the  right 
Crowns  shall  spring  upward,  untarnished  and  bright. 
Then  the  glad  ears  of  each  war  martyred  son 
Proudly  shall  hear  the  glad  tidings—"  Well  done." 


3  1158  01056  4283 


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